(Click here to view the 2008-09 season results and match reports)
(Click here to view the 2009-10 season results and match reports)
Click on the fixture or score to view the match report
* = CHARITY SHIELD - BOTH LEGS AT THE PAVILION, DUTIES SHARED BY BOTH TEAMS
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28 May 2011 - Northop Hall Nomads 1 Northop Hall Old Boys 2
The eagerly awaited second leg of the 2010/11 Charity Cup brought down the curtain on a hugely enjoyable and successful season for Northop Hall Old Boys, holding a three goal advantage from the first leg and the promise of getting their hands on a first piece of silverware to cap it off in style.
Wilton Evans, who played half of the first leg in the Old Boys goal, switched to the Nomads, leaving Dave Henrys the keeper's jersey to himself. Paz Maletta and Darren Brierley were back to bolster a good sized Old Boys squad, along with Mel Barnes and Steve Bodey, ensuring at least that the 'Save the Family' charity received a boost.
After last week's no-contest at Carmel, the Old Boys were pleased to be back against a veterans side and started very brightly, Phil Ward and Eifion Jones both shooting wide after good passages of play and 'Sparky' Ray heading over at the end of a really good move down the right. The best opening fell to Sparky running through in the inside left channel and producing a brilliant save from Wilton to divert the goalbound shot over the bar.
At the other end, the defence were well on top except that the Nomads had the wind and slope on their side and managed to get behind a couple of times without really testing Dave Henrys too much. Darren Brierley was his usual lively self worrying the Nomads defence and inevitably opened the scoring when he nipped in to beat the oncoming Wilton Evans to a through ball to score his 23rd goal of the season.
Anthony Woosey was popping up from midfield at regular intervals to put Sparky or Darren Brierley away and the Nomads defence were regularly forced to clear their lines as crosses pinged across. Darren Brierley almost doubled the lead when his lob beat Wilton and rebounded off the crossbar straight into the fortunate keeper's hands. Anthony and Ady Binnersley also had shots off target as the Old Boys continued to press.
However, Nomads were also applying pressure and Dave Henrys had to save point blank to keep out a shot from a corner. The equaliser arrived as the defence looked for an offside decision that wasn't forthcoming. The attacker drew the keeper before squaring for his team mate to finish.
Half-time 1-1
The second half was mostly a one-sided affair with the Old Boys now having the advantage of the conditions. The defence set the tone keeping the Nomads well away from goal. Ahead of them, chances aplenty were being created and squandered in equal measure, Darren Brierley twice thwarted by the Nomads keeper as he bore down on goal. Anthony Woosey and John Edmunds both shot wide, as did Mike Maletta with a spectacular overhead kick effort.
At the back, Pete Dessington and Eifion Jones were turning back the clock with solid performances, Pete producing two superbly timed tackles to halt the progress of Nomads speedy winger. The Old Boys won a succession of corners and saw some great crosses bobble frustratingly around the Nomads penalty area without finding a yellow shirt.
The game looked as if it would be finishing level, despite the pressure being applied by the Old Boys, and it was late in the game with Steve Bodey on up front for his usual cameo role that Phil Ward's quick throw got Paz Maletta in with a run to the Nomads goal. Without a goal for the club, everyone held their breath as he looped the ball high in the air over the advancing keeper and the race was on between ball and two opposing players. Whether Paz would have registered a first ever strike will never be known as an equally unlikely Steve Bodey reached the ball first to nod home what proved to be the winner.
Unfortunately for Paz, his afternoon got no better as a sickening clash of heads as he cleared from the edge of his own box left a deep cut over his eye that later required twenty stitches at the Countess of Chester. However, he had more than done his bit in a comprehensive aggregate win that ensured a first trophy for Northop Hall Old Boys at the end of the third season. Most importantly, the two games this year have raised a record £350 for our chosen charity.
After such a good campaign, with numbers consistently high and everybody looking set for another year, there will be no need for recruitment this summer for a change. Thanks and congratulations to everybody who played a part. We didn't want this one to end so roll on next season!
Team: Dave Henrys, Eifion Jones (Paz Maletta), Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Craig Jones, Ady Binnersley (John Edmunds), Phil Ward (Phil Southern)(Mel Barnes), Anthony Woosey (Mike Maletta), Pete Dessington, Darren Brierley (Steve Bodey), Mark Ray
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21 May 2011 - Carmel Vets (youth division) 6 Northop Hall Old Boys 1
A mis-match in ages made this match a non-event in many ways. The Old Boys goal was scored by Mark Ray and man-of-the-match was Kieran Whelan. Move on!
Team: Wilton Evans, Darren Molyneux, Neil Sparrow (Ady Binnersley), Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys, Craig Jones, John Edmunds (Eifion Jones), Phil Southern, (Phil Ward), Pete Dessington, Anthony Woosey (Mike Maletta), Mark Ray
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7 May 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 3 Northop Hall Nomads 0
Following both teams exit from the Sealand Cup the previous week, the opportunity was taken to quickly organise two dates for this season's Charity Cup between the two Northop Hall sides. This first leg started amidst the first rain for several weeks to give a little bit of give in the rock hard pitch at last. The Old Boys welcomed back Kieran Whelan at the heart of defence but still required Dave Henrys to continue between the sticks (sharing duries with Wilton Evans for a rare appearance).
The first half mainly belonged to the Old Boys who competed well and defended a good line that meant a fairly quiet 45 minutes for Dave in goal. At the other end, a couple of early half chances were blocked or went wide before Mark 'Sparky' Ray (sporting an impressive new close haircut) limped out of the action with an ankle injury.
Pete Dessington replaced him and took over corner duties, his opening effort being met supurbly by Kieran Whelan to emphatically head home his first goal of the season. Another was met well by Darren Brierley but landed just over the bar while one from the other side from Dave Bradley caused havoc in the box but nobody could apply a finishing touch.
Despite both Kieran Whelan and Craig Jones instigating further attacks with marauding runs from the back, chances were at a premium up to the break.
Half-time 1-0
Wilton Evans took over the no.1 jersey for the second half and was only marginally busier as the defence continued to dominate the Nomads attackers, just one save of note diving to his left to preserve the rare clean sheet.
At the other end, Darren Brierley and Anthony Woosey were well supported from midfield but nothing really tested the Nomads keeper until a right wing corner was cleared to Ady Binnersley on the edge of the box. His well placed right foot shot was still rising as it hit the net, aided by a slight deflection on the way through.
Phil Southern had the game's best opportunity soon after as the ball found its way to him on the edge of the box, but as he placed his measured right foot shot through a crowd of players it went just wide of the far post. Darren Brierley was then put through on goal but could only get a toe to the ball as the keeper closed him down successfully.
The Old Boys didn't have to wait long for a third goal though. Another good bit of pressing in midfield freed Ady Binnersley down the right and he made no mistake closing in on goal to double his tally for the season and stretch the advantage for the first leg with the 99th Old Boys goal of the season.
Although Anthony Woosey had a couple of shots in the closing stages and Wilton Evans at the other end had to be alert a couple of times, the game finished at 3-0 to put the Old Boys in pole position for their first piece of silverware if they can negotiate the second leg in three weeks time.
This week's man of the match award would decide the Player of the Season with four players in with a shout at the start of the day. Sparky's injury cruelly denied him the opportunity, but it was Kieran Whelan who got the opposition's nod to put him a nomination ahead of Anthony Woosey and two up on Darren Brierley. The contributions from all of the contenders cannot be under-estimated across what has been an excellent season, supported by a number of unsung heroes throughout the squad.
Team: Dave Henrys (Wilton Evans), Paz Maletta, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Craig Jones, John Edmunds, Phil Southern, Mike Maletta (Phil Ward), Ady Binnersley (Dave Bradley), Anthony Woosey (Darren Brierley), Mark Ray (Pete Dessington)
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30 April 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 1 Warrington Croft 4
Northop Hall Old Boys slumped out of the Sealand Cup as three goals in a five minute period either side of half-time helped Warrington Croft to a 4-1 win and a place in the semi-finals at the Old Boys’ expense. Needing only a draw to progress, things started brightly for the Old Boys when Darren Brierley gave them the lead, but an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and two goals in as many minutes after the break all but ended any hope that the Old Boys had of progressing from the group stage, and defeat was confirmed with a spectacular long-range effort late on.
The double bank holiday weekend took its toll with key absences requiring several reshuffles throughout the team, particularly in goal and the back four.
With Croft needing to win and Northop Hall looking to defend through attack it made for a very open match. The visitors twice found themselves with free headers in the box but failed to test Dave Henrys in the Old Boys’ goal while at the other end Pete Dessington scuffed an early chance straight at the ‘keeper.
It was the hosts who took the lead moments later though when Darren Brierley ran on to a great through ball and lobbed the ball over the opposition ‘keeper for his 22nd goal of the season. He could, and probably should, have made it 2-0 too when Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray and Phil Ward won the ball well and put him through again. The striker’s run took him one-on-one with the Croft ‘keeper again, but looking to repeat his opening goal he misplaced his lob wide.
Croft also created chances of their own and stand-in goalkeeper Dave Henrys was called into action twice, first tipping an awkwardly bouncing long-range free kick over the bar and then reacting well to deflect a diving header wide. Despite these chances, the hosts had the better of the first half with Darren Brierley in particular putting good pressure on the Croft defence to create chances for himself and strike partner Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray.
Leading goal scorer Anthony Woosey could also have doubled the hosts lead when he received Sparky’s corner and chested it down well, only to slice his shot wide before later shooting across goal after good work from Darren Molyneux and Mike Malletta. Mike was also the provider when Dave Bradley was played in over the top but he shot wide first time when he perhaps had time to take a touch.
The Old Boys were made to rue their missed chances however as Croft, who had hit the post moments earlier, equalised on the stroke of half-time. Dave Bradley received Dave Henrys’ kick out but his heavy touch gave the ball straight to an opposition player who hit a shot from a good 35 yards out leaving the keeper with no chance.
Half-time 1-1
Despite the setback the Old Boys went out for the second-half confident of regaining their lead after an encouraging first period, but just minutes later their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the competition were all but over. First Dave Henrys clearance was charged down by an opposition striker who was first to the loose ball and cleverly back-heeled to a team mate who couldn’t miss. Two quickly became three when Eifion Jones slipped on the touchline, allowing the left-winger to cut inside, beat Paz Malletta and pull back for a team mate to finish high into the net from inside the area.
Croft were now able to sit back and protect their lead and with the Old Boys struggling to retain possession their hopes of a comeback were quickly diminishing. Darren Brierley and Anthony Woosey did work hard to try and create a way back into the match but both saw their chances blocked or saved by the Croft keeper and then both missed the target with further chances as the half wore on.
The reintroduction of Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray also helped the Old Boys to create more chances, but a left foot shot was charged down and saved at the second attempt by the Croft ‘keeper before Darren Brierley met Sparky’s corner only to head over.
The game was then put beyond all doubt however as, somewhat against the run of play, Croft were allowed far too much time and space in the middle and a spectacular strike from forty yards soared over Dave Henrys’ head and into the top corner.
There was still time for Brierley and Ray to have shots saved but in truth Croft more than deserved their victory. For the Old Boys, Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray was awarded the opposition man-of-the-match award but it was a disappointing end to a cup campaign that had promised much for Northop Hall. With the Charity Shield to play against Northop Hall Nomads however there is still time for the Old Boys to finish their season on a high.
Team: Dave Henrys, Paz Maletta (Eifion Jones), Neil Sparrow (Mike Maletta), Darren Molyneux, Craig Jones, Ady Binnersley (Dave Bradley), Phil Ward (Steve Bodey), Anthony Woosey, Pete Dessington, Mark Ray, Darren Brierley
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16 April 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 3 Woolton Veterans 3
A break in Sealand Cup action while the other teams scrap for points in the group (although Waterside Old Boys have now dropped out) left Northop Hall's Old Boys to fulfill their prearranged fixture with Woolton Veterans at the Pavilion. A good sized squad was available, Darren Molyneux back after a two week absence in the heart of defence as Dave Henrys covered in goal again with Jeff Britton away. Pete Dessington and Neil Sparrow also returned to cover injuries to John Edmunds and Eifion Jones, while Mel Barnes continued a central midfield role with Mike Maletta also out with a knock.
The home side began very brightly and had their opponents pegged back in their own half for the best part of the first 20 minutes. During that time, a shot from Phil Ward flashed across goal and Mark Ray and Ady Binnersley shot wide. Darren Brierley harried the back line and created a couple of half chances but couldn't beat the Woolton keeper. Gradually, the away side managed a foothold in the game and began to look to get over the top of the Old Boys back line. One long pass was intercepted by Paz Maletta but his header fell straight to the opposing striker who smashed the ball home from just inside the box, somewhat against the run of play.
It could have been worse minutes later as Dave Henrys came from his area to block as the offside trap was breached. However, it was still up at the other end where most of the action was taking place and an equaliser eventually presented itself by way of an unlikely source. Kieran Whelan picked up the ball in his own half and set off on one of his trademark runs upfield. Having beaten three opponents, the fourth defender managed a tackle but could only present the ball to the oncoming Graham Wilks to slot home.
The Old Boys kicked on with their first set of team changes, Anthony Woosey quickly involved and unlucky with a near-post flick that the goalkeeper diverted away. At the other end, a break down the right put the winger in on goal but Dave Henrys saved with his legs to keep the scores level. Moments later, Phil Ward's deep cross from the right was met with a far post header by leading scorer Anthony Woosey that squeezed inside the upright.
The lead was short-lived though. A long through ball beat the offside trap again and the striker was left to round the oncoming keeper and slot into the empty net for the Woolton equaliser.
Half-time 2-2
The early stages of the second half belonged to the opposition as they turned round with a slight wind behind them. A couple of shots went wide before a right wing cross wasn't tracked by Darren Molyneux and the opposition striker had a free header in front of goal to put Woolton back into the lead.
However, further changes by the Old Boys on the hour brought Darren Brierley and Mark Ray back into the fray and both had good chances soon after that were snatched at. Anthony Woosey shot narrowly over and a Craig Jones free-kick tested the goalkeeper as chances came and went.
An indiscrete blast at the referee from the Woolton winger resulted in his enforced substitution and was followed by a few long shots wide of the home goal, but it was the Old Boys who took the game by the scruff of the neck.
With Dave Henrys a virtual spectator in the home goal, opportunities continued to present themselves. Anthony Woosey blazed over coming in from the left and a Kieran Whelan run and shot needed a save. A succession of corners offered half chances but the best of the day came to Mark 'Sparky' Ray who beat his man to create the ideal shooting chance and couldn't believe his misfortune as it struck the far post and ran back across the line and away before it could get a finishing touch.
Eventually the pressure told and it was a carbon copy of the Old Boys second goal, a deep cross from the right finding Anthony Woosey leaping high at the far post to head home his 28th goal of the season. There was still time for a winner (although not from the weak shot direct from the restart!) and both sides had half chances that they couldn't take as the game finished level, the Old Boys happy for the result but disappointed not to have won a game they should have had in the bag.
Kieran Whelan was a towering presence in the back-line and received the opposition's nomination for man-of-the-match to give him a share of the lead with Anthony Woosey as the end of season awards loom large. A two-week break follows due to Waterside dropping out of the Sealand Cup and the next game will be a deciding group game against Warrington Croft. It is to be hoped that improvements will be made at both ends of the pitch to give us a chance of progressing to the semi-finals the following week.
Team: Dave Henrys, Paz Maletta (Kevin Hoyland), Pete Dessington, Kieran Whelan, Darren Molyneux, Ady Binnersley, Phil Ward, Craig Jones (Mel Barnes), Mark Ray (Neil Sparrow), Graham Wilks (Steve Bodey), Darren Brierley (Anthony Woosey)
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09 April 2011 - Liverpool Ramblers 1 Northop Hall Old Boys 7
The second group match of this year's Sealand Cup saw a long road trip to Crosby in north Liverpool to the historic Liverpool Ramblers, the oldest football club in Liverpool (formed 1882 - click here for more detail.) As is often the case, a much smaller squad of players made the journey, disappointing after having to ask people drop out last week. However, there were returns for Darren Brierley and Eifion Jones to fill important slots in the line-up, although Jeff Britton being away meant a third appearnace in the goalkeeper's jersey for player-manager Dave Henrys.
As the sun blazed for the small group of spectators to enjoy, the Grand National was getting ready for the off just down the road at Aintree. For the players it was a slightly different story as the heat sapped energy over the 90 minutes, however the Old Boys were quickly into their stride and had several early sighters of goal without getting too close, Phil Ward and Mark 'Sparky' Ray amongst those getting shots away.
At the other end, Ramblers were showing their potential with some good pass and move football that put their wingers in more than once, Kieran Whelan making a couple of timely interceptions. The luck ran out though when their striker broke clear of the back line and hammered a right foot shot that Dave Henrys could do nothing to keep out.
The Old Boys continued to push at the other end, Darren Brierley especially lively to put the home defence under pressure without success, and several other shots crossing in front of goal without a touch, Mel Barnes particularly unlucky not to get on the end of one of Sparky's cross shots. At the other end, Dave Henrys was being well protected in the main as long range shots failed to hit the target.
Right on the half time whistle, both John Edmunds and Ady Binnersley pulled up with injuries and it needed the break to reorganise.
Half time 1-0
So it was that the second half began with a number of players out of their preferred positions in order to maintain the balance of the side. With Anthony Woosey pushed up front alongside Darren Brierley there was a renewed threat that quickly paid dividends, Sparky Ray being the recipient of Anthony's through ball to level the scores with a smart finish.
Ramblers continued to pose a threat with their passing game and Dave Henrys was forced to make a couple of close range stops to keep the scores even before an explosive two minutes by Northop Hall changed the whole dynamics of the game. First it was leading scorer Anthony Woosey getting clear of the last defender and stroking home his 24th goal of a very productive season. Then Anthony turned provider with a fine run and cross from the left wing that Darren Brierley nipped ahead of his marker to stab home for a deserved 20th of the season for himself.
Again Ramblers came back with a couple of dangerous corners but it was the visitors who effectively killed the game at 4-1 with a well worked second of the game for Anthony Woosey, converted in style. Darren Brierley forced a good save from the home keeper but next chance he got gave him no opportunity for a repeat with a powerful shot into the bottom corner for his own second of the game.
Anthony thought he had a hat-trick minutes later as he broke away again and chipped the keeper, but somehow he managed to claw it onto the crossbar and narrowly beat Darren Brierley to the rebound. Darren was booked soon after for a late challenge as a defender cleared his lines, a worrying trend of seeing referee's cards during the cup competitions this year.
A melee in the Liverpool six yard box saw the ball squirm out to Anthony Woosey on the left and his piledriver avoided a mass of bodies to find the bottom corner for yet another hat-trick, the ninth time he's notched three in a game for the Old Boys and his 26th goal of this season.
Graham Wilks, filling in on the right of midfield, had a length of the field run down the flank stopped by the Ramblers full-back, but from Eifion Jones' corner, he cut inside and launched a left foot shot into the top corner for a seventh Northop Hall goal to complete a remarkable second-half turnaround.
There was still a bit more defending to do, but the back four continued to shut out the opposition who were eventually shooting wildly from the half way line in their desperation. The closest they came was from a ball that bounced up high off the hard ground on its way through the penalty box and clipped the crossbar as it went over, although the keeper had it covered!
The close battle for top scorer is second only to the man-of-the-match nominations this season. Darren Brierley got the opposition's nod ahead of Anthony Woosey today meaning that just one point separates four players. However, although the personal battles for the end-of-season awards will no doubt intensify over the coming few weeks before the Presentation Night on May 20th, it is the team performances that the manager is concerned about, and certainly a few more like the tremendous one put in during the second-half here will offer the opportunity for more than personal reward.
The most pleasing thing continues to be the willingness to be flexible in the team interest. No fewer than eight players played in unfamiliar positions during the second half here, although after the way the team played, some may find themselves in those a bit more often!
Next week is the Old Boys free week in the Sealand Cup (entertaining Woolton in a friendly instead). It will be interesting to see how the Group B table looks after the other results on Saturday.
Team: Dave Henrys, Paz Maletta, John Edmunds, Eifion Jones (Darren Brierley), Kieran Whelan, Ady Binnersley, Phil Ward, Craig Jones, Mel Barnes, Mark Ray (Graham Wilks), Anthony Woosey
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02 April 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 1 Halkyn Veterans 1
After their exit from the Shotton Steel Cup at the first hurdle last week, Northop Hall launched their Sealand Cup campaign with a home tie against Halkyn Veterans. With manager Dave Henrys faced with the rare luxury of having too many players available Darren Molyneux (resting a slight knock), Steve Bodey (illness) and Neil Sparrow all stepped aside to allow Ady Binnersley, Mike Maletta, Kevin Hoyland, Phil Southern, Kieran Whelan and Mel Barnes to return to the match day squad. With Darren Brierley then ruled out at very short notice due to work commitments however, the Old Boys only had four substitutes as opposed to the five that they had expected.
With the wind behind them in the first half the Old Boys dominated the early proceedings. Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray put the ball in the net just ten minutes in but was rightly judged to have been offside after Graham Wilks had intercepted a poor clearance and fed his strike partner.
Sparky was central to many of the Old Boys’ early chances, firstly shooting wide with an ambitious bicycle kick before his low deflected cross was nearly turned in by a Halkyn defender under his own crossbar. From the resulting corner Phil Ward turned inside but shot just wide with his right foot before Sparky again came close with several chances, his left-footed cross-shot flashing across the face of the goal and then he ran on to Anthony Woosey’s flicked header but lobbed the ball narrowly over the bar after a slightly heavy first touch.
With Jeff Britton a mere spectator in the Old Boys goal, chances continued to rain down on the opposite end. Kevin Hoyland reacted first as the ball broke loose from a 50-50 challenge and fed Sparky but the striker again narrowly missed the target, the ball brushing the frame of the goal as it went wide.
Anthony Woosey also saw a good left-footed half-volley turned wide but as half-time arrived the score somehow remained goalless.
Half time 0-0
The second half however was a much more even affair. Kieran Whelan came on at half-time after arriving late and immediately had a huge penalty shout for handball against him turned down. Halkyn began to build some pressure of their own however and Jeff Britton was twice called into action to save free-kicks. The second, struck from some 35-yards, had to be parried over as it headed for the top corner.
Northop Hall’s customary substitutions on the hour mark made an immediate impact though as the returning Graham Wilks immediately tested the Halkyn ‘keeper with a half-volley, and indeed it was Graham who finally broke the deadlock with a great finish from 20-yards out.
Halkyn upped their game after going behind and they were nearly level immediately afterwards as a shot flashed across the face of goal when the defence was beaten in the area. As the pressure increased the Old Boys back-line lost a lot of structure. Long clearances from the goalkeeper were simply allowed to bounce through the defence and more than once the opposition were allowed free headers from inside the box.
With just five minutes remaining the pressure told when Paz Malletta brought down the striker in the penalty area. Jeff Britton dived the right way but the penalty was simply too well struck as it nestled in the bottom corner to put Halkyn level.
Halkyn could even have won the game as well as the referee missed an offside, but Jeff turned the shot wide to save a point for his team. A late yellow-card for Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray proved the Old Boys frustration when he became the first Old Boys player to have been officially yellow-carded after going in very late on the goalkeeper. It didn’t stop the opposition awarding him man of the match however.
Avoiding defeat in the opening group match of the competition was important, but the Old Boys may well rue the loss of two points that seemed very achievable, particularly at half-time.
Team: Jeff Britton, Paz Maletta, John Edmunds, Craig Jones (Kieran Whelan), Dave Henrys, Ady Binnersley (Kevin Hoyland), Phil Ward (Phil Southern), Mike Maletta, Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks (Mel Barnes), Mark Ray
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26 March 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 1 Saltney Veterans 4
The draw for the quarter-final of the Shotton Steel Veterans Cup pitched the Old Boys at Saltney, the opposition choosing to come to Northop Hall to play as their pitch is in poor condition apparently. Tellingly as it turned out, they also provided the referee on the day, although he looked more like he'd been plucked from the sidelines and was to play a pivotal role in the day's events which might have backed up that theory. More of that later.
The Old Boys were able to welcome back keeper Jeff Britton and Kev Higgins at the back covered the absence of Kieran Whelan, one of a number of squad players missing for the game for various reasons, but Phil Ward was back in the middle of midfield and Graham Wilks returned up front.
The home side began strongly and Phil Ward was quickly bringing the Saltney goalkeeper into action to turn his powerful shot over the bar. From Mark 'Sparky' Ray's resulting corner the ball fell for Craig Jones but his shot was high. At the other end, Saltney started to exert pressure of their own and Jeff Britton had to be out smartly to save at the striker's feet.
A competitive cup-tie fell into a pattern of Saltney applying pressure and Northop Hall springing a number of breakaways, none of which could find a breakthrough for strikers Darren Brierley, Mark Ray and later Graham Wilks, as Anthony Woosey led the charge from wide midfield. Most of the play was condensed in the middle third in the main, with Craig Jones and Phil Ward seeing plenty of action.
The visitors managed a breakaway of their own down the right but the resulting shot across goal was well turned aside by Jeff Britton. Soon after, Saltney took the lead though, a fortunate deflection off Kevin Higgins saw the ball loop up to the far post where it was headed in.
It wasn't long before the scores were level, Darren Brierley benefitting from a poor clearance from the opposition goalkeeper under pressure and striking a shot from 30 yards that he didn't connect cleanly with but couldn't have placed better in off the base of the post.
Both teams had half-chances in an even contest before events turned on the stroke of half-time. Craig Jones and the opposing defender both went in hard for a 50/50 tackle, Craig winning the ball but also catching the player whose screams alerted the referee from his halfway line entrenchment to get over-eagerly involved in the ensuing melee. Craig's fierce assertion that the ball had been won was seemingly enough to warrant him being sent-off and signalled a near rebellion in the Northop Hall ranks. Needless to say, the injured player was up and back in action straight after the break.
Half time 1-1
The mutiny threatening to break out in the home ranks was appeased slightly by the opposition allowing a substitute for Craig instead of going down to 10 men, but it was still a critical decision to lose a player of his ability in the middle of the park. Leading scorer Anthony Woosey was moved in to the middle of midfield with Mark Ray tucked back into left midfield, not the best position for either of them.
With the Old Boys on the back foot, Saltney took advantage, first requiring Paz Maletta to make a crucial last-ditch tackle and from the resulting corner, Jeff Britton clawed the ball off the goal line only for his own leg to deflect the ball back past two players on the line for a really unlucky break.
Northop Hall pressed for an equaliser and might have had one when first Darren Brierley, then Mark Ray had shots cleared from in front of goal. A succession of corners down the left side also offered half chances as the ball skidded through without a touch on a couple of occasions, but the passing wasn't really there second half and Saltney grew in confidence to knock the ball round well themselves and saw one shot clip the outside of Jeff Britton's right post.
Eventually around 15 minutes from time, they struck the killer blow, seizing on two missed opportunities to clear properly from the back to get their striker through to give Jeff no chance with a low shot from close in.
Still the Old Boys pressed, Mark Ray and Graham Wilks both getting some joy on the left but unable to fully capitalise and Anthony Woosey picking a few passes from the middle of the park, but it was Saltney who were having most of the ball and looking fairly comfortable by this stage.
Their fourth goal came towards the end of the game, again an element of fortune deserting the Old Boys as Kev Higgins clearance at the back struck the oncoming striker in the face and fell right in front of goal for his strike partner to slot home and complete the victory.
Anthony Woosey got the opposition's nod for man-of-the-match on a day when the fluidity and composure of recent weeks went sadly missing from the team. The removal of Craig Jones was a key factor in the scoreline, but in truth probably not in the result, although it's hard to say as the Old Boys have shown they are capable of scoring goals this season, particularly from Anthony, but losing him to cover the centre midfield slot diminished that threat somewhat. Anyway, the cup dream is on hold for another season in that competition,but next week sees the start of the Sealand Cup and the opportunity to get back on game.
Team: Jeff Britton, Paz Maletta (Neil Sparrow), Darren Molyneux, Kev Higgins, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Pete Dessington), Phil Ward, Craig Jones, Anthony Woosey, Darren Brierley, Mark Ray (Graham Wilks)
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19 March 2011 - Upton Magnets 1 Northop Hall Old Boys 4
The Old Boys visited Upton boosted by the returns of Kieran Whelan and Mike and Paz Maletta but shorn of the collective services of Graham Wilks (7 goals in his last 4 games), Phil Ward and keeper Jeff Britton, meaning a second outing between the sticks for player-manager Dave Henrys. The kick off was unfortunately delayed by a bad knee injury to one of the players on the designated pitch in the previous game to this one, which necessitated a wait for the arrival of an ambulance.
Once the game did get underway, a very even first half ensued with Darren Brierley and Anthony Woosey spearheading the Northop Hall attack and Darren in particular with an early shot and header the first to threaten. At the other end, the defence kept the home team away from the 'rookie' keeper, just a shot narrowly wide of the post providing a potential scare.
Anthony Woosey was unusually struggling early on to find his range on goal with a few wayward efforts as he and Darren Brierley gave the Upton backline a hard time, Darren showing his pace on several occasions to rescue seemingly lost causes and keep attacks going. Unfortunately the finishing wasn't quite there as shots from Dave Bradley, Craig Jones, Phil Southern and Darren himself failed to trouble the home keeper too much.
Kieran Whelan and Darren Molyneux were getting forward from the back to help create something and a run from Kieran started the move that was to finally lead to an opening goal slid home by leading scorer Anthony Woosey for his 21st of the season from Ady Binnersley's cross.
Upton had provided stiff opposition through the half without really penetrating but the goal seemed to galvanise them to get closer to Dave Henrys' goal and he had to save one low shot with his left boot before a break from midfield outnumbered the Old Boys defence and left the right winger to slam home unmarked at the far post for the equaliser.
The introduction of Mark 'Sparky' Ray added a new threat up front with a far post cross headed narrowly wide by Darren Brierley, but it was a curling left footed effort from John Edmunds on the right that came closest to retaking the lead, the ball bouncing back off the crossbar and Ady Binnersley close to turning in the rebound under pressure but finding the wrong side of the goal.
Half time 1-1
After the break, with a couple of half time changes, the second half belonged much more to the visitors. Kev Hoyland pushing up the right provided pace and a right wing cross was met by Darren Brierley at the near post. His right foot shot couldn't have been hit any sweeter but the Upton keeper pulled off an unbelievable point blank save to divert it over the bar.
Several more efforts whistled around the Upton goal as the Old Boys took command but still unable to break the deadlock until a long range left foot shot from Mark Ray was parried by the keeper to the alert Kev Hoyland who hooked in his fourth of the season from close range to re-establish the lead.
Upton briefly threatened at the other end but couldn't find an equaliser, firing wide and missing a decent headed chance at the far post. They were made to pay as the reintroduction of Anthony Woosey provided a new threat up front with Sparky Ray, the combination producing a handball in the box from a home defender that gave Anthony the chance to extend the lead, which he did with an unstoppable penalty kick that went in off the post.
Soon after it was Dave Henrys turn to produce a point blank instinctive save to deny the Upton striker at the other end, as the home side continued to be thwarted, mostly by some solid defending from Kieran Wheland and Craig Jones in the middle of the defence.
Another neat move by the Old Boys put Sparky Ray through down the left and his deep cross to the far post saw Anthony Woosey outjump his defender to complete yet another hat-trick (his eighth in less than 3 seasons) for Northop Hall and bag his 23rd goal of this campaign to wrap up the game at 4-1.
The opposition vote for man-of-the-match was apparently a close call, with Kieran Whelan and Craig Jones both mentioned, as well as hat-trick goalscorer Anthony Woosey, but today's nod went to Darren Brierley, surprisingly goalless himself, although on another day he would also have had a hat-trick of his own. His pace and selfless running today gave the opposition defenders no respite and he was a constant threat. For everybody else there were performances all over the park again contributing to this result which overall was probably a fair reflection of the play, especially second half.
Team: Dave Henrys, Kevin Hoyland, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan (Paz Maletta), Eifion Jones, John Edmunds (Steve Bodey), Mike Maletta, Phil Southern (Craig Jones), Dave Bradley (Ady Binnersley), Anthony Woosey (Mark Ray), Darren Brierley
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12 March 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 5 Rhewl Veterans 2
Back at home again after last week's road trip, the Old Boys welcomed Rhewl Veterans who despite being pre-warned arrived with yellow shirts instead of the planned change strip, thereby pushing back the kick-off as the home side waited for a different set of shirts to arrive.
Changes in personnel from the previous week saw the returns of Darren Molyneux and Phil Ward, leading goalscorer Anthony Woosey and goalkeeper Jeff Britton holding off on his hernia operation a bit longer to the Old Boys benefit. Kieran Whelan and Paz Maletta were amongst the unavailable leaving the defence a little short on numbers, Darren Molyneux moving into the centre to provide cover and Pete Dessington filling in at right back from the kick-off. After taking a couple of blows in his last game, Mike Maletta wisely chose to keep his broken nose out of the action this week.
Much of the first half was played in the middle third of the pitch allowing Craig Jones and Phil Ward to get some telling challenges in and for a few half chances to be created for Darren Brierley and Graham Wilks that were snatched at and went wide. Ady Binnersley brought the first meaningful save from the Rhewl goalkeeper whilst at the other end Jeff Britton comfortably dealt with a couple of long range efforts.
Fine work down the right led to a deep cross to the far post from Craig Jones that at first looked like it might drop inside the far post, but was scrambled in by Darren Brierley unfortunately with the assistance of a hand.
A legitimate opening goal took a while to arrive but it was the home side who made the important breakthrough, Phil Ward's persistance through the middle created a chance for Ady Binnersley and although the keeper made a good save to his right, his parry fell straight to Graham Wilks who stroked home his tenth goal of the season.
The lead was preserved with a couple of saves from Jeff Britton, firstly diving to his right to tip one round the post and then after a long ball from the back put the winger in on goal he was quickly out to again deflect the shot wide.
Anthony Woosey, pushing on from a central midfield role, put Mark 'Sparky' Ray in on the left and his left foot cross was agonisingly close to getting a connection as it flashed across goal.
Half time 1-0
The second half began disasterously for the Old Boys. Straight from kick-off, Rhewl moved the ball down the right wing and a cross to the far post was met with a header back across goal into the corner of the net for the equaliser.
Pressure at both ends was snuffed out by defences increasingly on top and a low scoring game looked on the cards for a while until the floodgates opened following a left wing Northop Hall corner from Sparky Ray. The ball dropped perfectly for Phil Ward unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box and although his header was straight at the keeper's feet he could only get a weak hand to it and Wardy had deservedly doubled his tally for the season.
Anthony Woosey was now pulling strings from midfield and always had Sparky as an oulet in the inside left channel. From such a move begun from a long kick from Jeff Britton, Sparky's cross found Ady Binnersley cutting in from the right and this time his shot found the back of the net to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
It didn't last long however, the Rhewl right winger himself cutting in from the wing to fire low past Jeff Britton on his near post when the keeper expected a cross. Jeff had to be on his toes moments later to keep out a shot from the other side as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. This left gaps at the back that Darren Brierley and Sparky began to exploit, Sparky coming extremely close as he ran onto another Anthony Woosey through ball and rounded the keeper, thinking he'd scored with the goalbound shot to the open goal only for the opposition centre back to somehow get back and get the ball over his own crossbar.
Eventually, the fourth goal did arrive, owing much to the pressing of the Rhewl back four creating chaos in the penalty box that Anthony Woosey took full advantage of to slide a left foot shot home for his 20th goal of the season.
Still Rhewl continued to press but Jeff was looking difficult to beat and made a couple of important saves before Darren Brierley finished another attack from the home side at the other end, requiring two efforts close in at the far post to register his own 18th of the season despite getting barely enough purchase on the second flick for it to trickle in.
There was still time for drama at the other end. Eifion Jones looked to have been impeded in making a clearance, his handball punished with the award of a penalty kick. However, in keeping with his performance, Jeff Britton dived to his right and kept the spot-kick out.
The game ended on a bit of a sour note with a couple of "argy-bargies", the second of which briefly threatened to get out of hand as Jeff reacted to an opponent stupidly putting his studs up to try and stop a quick kick out from his hands. However, the final whistle arrived very soon after order and harmony had been restored and the Old Boys had recorded another excellent win.
Man-of-the-match for the second time in his four appearances for the club was goalkeeper Jeff Britton who topped off a number of fine saves by keeping out that late penalty. Some very good performances in midfield would have drawn a nomination for an outfield player as once again a very good team effort brought about a fine result. A number of players played in positions that wouldn't have been their first choice, as many have this season, and that versatility in both ability and willingness on behalf of the team is making the manager's job so much easier.
Team: Jeff Britton, Pete Dessington (John Edmunds), Neil Sparrow (Eifion Jones), Darren Molyneux, Dave Henrys, Ady Binnersley, Craig Jones (Anthony Woosey), Phil Ward, Mark Ray, Darren Brierley, Graham Wilks (Dave Bradley)
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5 March 2011 - St Mary's (Liverpool) 3 Northop Hall Old Boys 5
The Old Boys made the long trip over to north Liverpool with a decent sized squad, not something that the manager has always had at his disposal for such away days. The returns of Phil Southern, Kieran Whelan and Graham Wilks were cancelled out by the absences of leading scorer Anthony Woosey and last season's Players' Player of the Year Darren Molyneux amongst others. Dave Henrys was required back in defence after his stint between the sticks the previous week and so it was left to Declan Hickey, despite his lack of fitness, to take over the gloves as emergency cover and a rare appearance. The Old Boys overall demeanour was also clouded slightly by being on the back of a hugely successful social event the night before at the Northop Hall Country House Hotel (thanks to everyone who supported it and helped to raise £80 on a raffle for Mel and Jayne's cancer charity).
This was the first ever visit to St.Mary's, located the other side of Crosby, but they have twice visited Northop Hall in the past 12 months with one win apiece resulting, but their performances on both occasions showed their undoubted quality and this was underlined from early in the game as they put pressure on from the off, admittedly with the benefit of the wind at their backs for the first half. Darren Brierley and Mark Ray were proving useful outlets at the other end and Darren narrowly failed to get a header on target from Sparky's left wing cross but it was St Mary's who took advantage of the visitors' inability to clear their lines to score first with a low left foot shot from the left channel.
Kieran Whelan put in a few last ditch tackles and also had a couple of marauding runs from the back. Craig Jones was also managing to see plenty of the ball in midfield alongside Phil Southern and it was Phil who was able to get Darren Brierley away for an equaliser. Darren had already served notice that his pace would cause the home defence some problems and he ran on to Phil's through ball to finish coolly.
Both sides scored again before the half hour mark, firstly as Declan Hickey was beaten by a long shot that soared over his head on the wind, but levelled again by a carbon copy finish from Darren as Craig Jones and Sparky Ray combined to put him in again for his 17th goal in just his 12th game.
Dave Bradley shot wide after creating himself space and the home side also missed the target a couple of times from range, but it was Sparky Ray who had the best chance as the half closed, taking a shot on first time on the left and blazing high and wide when he had more time than he realised.
Half time 2-2
A period of pressure from the Old Boys after the break, with the wind now behind them, failed to supply an early breakthrough, but the goals continued to arrive with regularity soon after. It began with a moment that Declan Hickey will want to forget quickly. As he swept up behind the last line of defence, the clearance was hurried under pressure but seemed straight forward. Unfortunately, he missed the ball completely to allow a simple tap-in for the home striker.
Soon after, the Old Boys were hugely fortunate to see a shot that looked goalbound all the way cannon back off their crossbar as St Mary's continued to pass the ball around well. As the half progressed though, the away side also managed to start knocking it around a little too and the game opened right up.
Squad rotation on the hour brought Darren Brierley back into the action and he was soon joining Graham Wilks in making life hard for the home defenders. However, it was Graham's efforts to find Darren with a deep right wing cross that produced the equaliser, the wind taking the ball into the far corner of the goal over the keeper's head for a lucky break.
The extra players that the Old Boys were able to change about helped them get on top as the game wore on and eventually they went ahead for the first time. On this occasion, Graham Wilks' finish was low and deliberate after good work by Phil Southern created the space for him to register his ninth strike of the season.
Soon afterwards it was five with a first goal for the Old Boys by left back Neil Sparrow, his long range left foot shot sweetly struck and again gaining advantage from the wind to sail past the home keeper. There was still time for Declan Hickey to atone for his earlier error with a fine save down to his left to deny a goalbound effort and for Darren Brierley to be denied his hat-trick at the other end before the referee ended proceedings for the day.
Man-of-the-match nominated by the hosts deservedly went to centre-half Kieran Whelan. This wasn't one of the Old Boys better performances but the effort was certainly there and with several significant absentees, not least in goal, it was a good result against a good vets side.
Team: Declan Hickey, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow (Pete Dessington), Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Ady Binnersley), Craig Jones, Phil Southern (Eifion Jones), Mark Ray, Darren Brierley (Graham Wilks), Dave Bradley (Steve Bodey)
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26 February 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 1 Rock Ferry Veterans 2
The Old Boys came into this game without a recognised goalkeeper as the injury curse that has already robbed them of Steve Davies and Dave Pritchard to surgery has now claimed Jeff Britton as another long-term victim and Steve Woosey on (hopefully!) a much shorter-term. No wonder there was so little response to the manager's late call for volunteers, leaving Dave Henrys to take the jersey himself. The team might not have been too reassured at this sight, but they would have been even less so if they'd known that it was the first time in over 30 years that Dave's played in goal - the last time being a youth club game!
In front of him, Northop Hall had plenty of numbers to rotate again, the return of Kev Higgins and Kevin Hoyland helping the cause, the overnight rain that left the pitch once again a mud-bath not helping the football although with Rock Ferry once again pitching up with several youngsters ("still can't fathom out why these kids want to play at this level"), this actually proved a bit of a leveller.
The opening exchanges definitely belonged to the home team as they hit the ground running and were soon knocking the ball around well and getting stuck in to the midfield particularly. Anthony Woosey and Mark 'Sparky' Ray interchanged well to create the earliest opportunities and the opening goal came from Anthony flicking on a Kev Higgins free-kick for Sparky to run onto in his favoured left channel and hammer a low left shot into the far corner.
At the other end, Dave Henrys had asked for maximum protection and was certainly getting it with the visitors limited to a few long shots that flashed wide and one or two set-pieces that came to nothing. As the half wore on though, they did come more and more into it forcing the defence to dig in deep.
Although both Anthony Woosey and Sparky Ray had shots that came close, Rock Ferry scored an equaliser with an attack deep into home territory that ended with the striker curling a shot round the defender into the far corner from 12 yards that the keeper had no hope with.
The game was then very even, both sides struggling to keep the ball moving at times and a few comical moments when it did stick in the mud but the Old Boys still fashioning chances down the flanks and Sparky's left foot crosses close to finding a yellow shirt in the middle to apply a decisive touch.
Half time 1-1
The second half continued in much the same way as both teams looked for a second goal. Dave Henrys was busier and had to come off his line to block a "one on one", happy to see Craig Jones clear the resulting loose ball in front of his goal. Darren Brierley and Sparky Ray both had shots saved at the other end as the ball criss-crossed the Rock Ferry penalty area, while Sparky saw a carbon copy of his first-half goal this time whistle just wide of the far post.
As the game wore on, the visitors introduced more youth from the bench and started to come closer to taking the lead, a header from a corner clipping the outside of the post and several more shots going wide before they tested the 'rookie' goalkeeper with a couple of low shots which Dave Henrys was just able to get down and touch around the post.
Still the defence stood firm, the midfield played the ball around well and kept getting stuck in and the strikers, with Anthony Woosey reintroduced, continued to threaten. A well worked move saw a cross from Darren Brierley just behind Anthony as he bore down on goal.
It looked as if the game would peter out to a draw when a through ball from the Rock Ferry midfield saw a chase through. Darren Molyneux beat the young striker to the ball but could only watch in horror as his attempted clearance soared into the top corner of the goal, the keeper again helpless to do anything about it.
With only a couple of minutes to go it was an undeserved hammer blow, but the heads stayed up and the old Boys managed to create two decent chances before the end, the best of which saw John Edmunds strike a shot over the bar left footed while Anthony Woosey also failed to hit the target with practically the last kick.
The opposition's vote for man-of-the-match for the second successive week went to goalscorer Mark 'Sparky' Ray who once again gave the visiting defence the runaround, but again a number of other performances particularly at the back would also have been contenders. Although the result was disappointing, the manner of it certainly wasn't and once again it was only the young legs that Rock Ferry always include that made the difference at the end.
Team: Dave Henrys, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow (Eifion Jones), Darren Molyneux (Pete Dessington), Kev Higgins, Kevin Hoyland (John Edmunds), Craig Jones, Phil Ward (Mike Maletta), Ady Binnersley (Dave Bradley), Anthony Woosey, (Darren Brierley), Mark Ray
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19 February 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 8 Chester Nomads 6th's 1
With an 18-man squad to rotate there was never any doubt about who would have the fresher legs in this encounter as Chester Nomads 6th's arrived with just 12 and lost one to injury in the first half (in fact they even had to field Northop Hall's Paz Maletta for a spell in the first half after a clash of heads temporarily saw them reduced to 10).
However, it was the visitors who kicked off and knocked the ball purposefully around the midfield for the opening minutes, without getting anywhere near Jeff Britton's goal. As the Old Boys broke up play and knocked the ball forward, it was clear that Mark 'Sparky' Ray and Graham Wilks were going to get themselves chances, particularly as the midfield started to take control. The opening goal came from some excellent work in the middle from Phil Ward who broke up play and set Sparky on his way down his favourite inside-left channel. After outpacing the last defender, the left foot finish was assured.
There was almost a carbon copy minutes later but this time a defender was able to stay with Sparky and force him to shoot wide. However, he didn't have to wait long for another, this time Graham Wilks the provider again putting the ball into the channel for Sparky to beat the oncoming keeper and tuck away the chance.
There hadn't been much for the defence to cope with despite some lively play from the visitors, but what they had to do they did competently. However, Chester benefitted from a huge slice of fortune to get a foothold in the game. Dave Henrys beat the striker to a throughball only to see his clearance smash into the Chester man's face and drop invitingly for a shot from 25 yards. He still had a lot to do but his shot was right in the top corner and totally unstoppable.
Things were fairly even for a while until a clash of heads saw a bloodied Mike Maletta and a Nomads midfielder leave the arena. With other changes from the Old Boys to give everybody playing time seeing, amongst others, Darren Brierley back in action as he stepped up his recovery from injury, play started to become concentrated at the visitors end. John Edmunds and Anthony Woosey both shot wide before Graham Wilks right foot shot had too much power for the keeper, despite him getting a hand to it.
As the half closed, the Chester keeper was very busy making at least one terrific save before Darren Brierley was put in to keep his scoring record up with his 15th goal in 10 games.
Half time 4-1
The second half continued as the first ended with chance after chance at the Nomads end. Anthony Woosey hit several long-range shots wide before Dave Bradley played Sparky in for what should have been his third of the game only to see him blaze wide this time. It looked for a while as if it might be a frustrating half, especially as Jeff Britton was being kept virtually unemployed in the home goal.
Suddenly, from absolutely nothing, Anthony Woosey launched a long range left foot shot that arrowed into the top corner and in off the inside of the post for the goal of the game.
Minutes later, Mark Ray had his second hat-trick in successive weeks, albeit in slightly embarrassing circumstances as his low long-range left foot drive went straight through the unfortunate keepers legs to make it 6-1. It should have been seven just after, only Phil Ward will know how his far post diving header stayed out having rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and off the far post before being cleared.
Eventually a seventh did arrive as Darren Brierley was upended on the edge of the penalty area. Leading goalscorer Anthony Woosey stepped up to curl a shot around the wall and past the bemused static goalkeeper for his 19th of the season. It was eight soon after as the pressure told. Anthony turned provider this time as another neat interplay ended with Graham Wilks knocking the ball in from close range from Anthony's cross.
This turned out to be the end of the scoring, but not the chances as Graham's hat-trick opportunity arrived gift wrapped as a right wing low cross found him unmarked five yards out. Somehow he managed to scoop his snapshot over the bar and the tiring legs of the opposition will have been glad to hear the final whistle soon after.
Man-of-the-match for his second successive hat-trick was 'Sparky' Ray who was a constant threat to the Chester defence, but other striker's performances warrant mention, as do the midfield performances of Phil Ward and Mike Maletta. Overall, this was another very impressive display right from the first whistle. Next week's game against Rock Ferry will be a lot more difficult however and an interesting test of current form.
Team: Jeff Britton, Paz Maletta (Darren Molyneux), Pete Dessington, Kieran Whelan (Craig Jones), Dave Henrys, Ady Binnersley (John Edmunds), Phil Ward, Mike Maletta (Anthony Woosey), Neil Sparrow (Phil Southern), Graham Wilks (Dave Bradley), Mark Ray (Darren Brierley)
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12 February 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 9 Rossett Veterans 3
A larger pool of players was available for this one as the Old Boys welcomed back former leading-scorer Darren Brierley for his first taste of action since early November, as well as Dave Bradley also from injury and for a first appearance of the season, Mel Barnes, who has had important family issues to contend with that are hopefully behind him now. There was also the luxury of juggling the return of goalkeeper Steve Woosey and last week's man-of-the-match replacement Jeff Britton allowing the opportunity to have a look at them both alternating outfield positions too. Following a brief return last week, last season's player-of-the-year Kieran Whelan was unavailable, so both keepers saw action as part of defensive changes as well as the versatile Craig Jones and Pete Dessington.
After last week's unimpressive show in front of goal, Anthony Woosey and Mark 'Sparky' Ray swapped positions hoping for better success and the move paid off immediately with Anthony getting a couple of shots at goal coming in from the left side, one well saved and the other blazed over following a tremendous right to left move. The bright start by the home team also included a left foot drive from Craig Jones that fizzed just wide, a couple of shots from John Edmunds (one of which was well tipped over by the busy Rossett goalkeeper) and a couple of shots on target from Phil Ward from midfield.
Rossett, with a number of changes in personnel themselves since the first meeting in November, were also playing some decent football despite the muddy conditions underfoot and Steve Woosey saved low to his left to thwart one effort in particular. However, eventually the pressure at the other end told as Phil Ward played a perfect ball inside the full back for Anthony Woosey to steel in and fire home left footed. The Old Boys continued to carve out opportunities with Mark Ray bringing out another good save from the away goalie as well as finding Graham Wilks with one of a number of crosses only for the last line of defence to scramble clear.
The away side continued to knock the ball around well and it was good defensive work and dogged midfield battling that kept them to long-range shots that were failing to worry Steve Woosey at all.
Graham Wilks' centre-forward play in recent weeks has been much improved and a deserved goal to go with it has been elusive. A couple more efforts from him seemed to suggest another frustrating afternoon but finally he was able to pounce on a loose ball in the area to stab home and double the lead. Changes in the middle of the half saw the introduction of Ady Binnersley for his first home game and Mel Barnes into an unaccustomed centre-midfield role as well as Jeff Britton at left-back. There was no let-up in the pressure as Northop Hall continued to pour forward and having had a decent penalty appeal turned down when he appeared to be wrestled to the ground, Ady Binnersley was unceremoniously tripped in the area as he looked to end a fine dribbling run towards goal. Mark Ray took responsibility and tucked the spot-kick neatly away for the third goal.
Before half-time with crosses dropping into the visitors box from left and right, a fourth goal wasn't long coming, Phil Ward again the provider for 'Sparky' Ray to turn his marker and strike hard and low left-footed into the far corner. There was still time for a comic moment to give Rossett some reward for their endeavour. Failure to clear down the right saw the visitors break down their left flank. Mel Barnes has a regulation tackle to find touch but obviously still rusty after his long lay-off he missed the ball completely allowing the left winger to break forward and poke the ball past Steve Woosey where the striker provided the final touch into the unguarded goal.
Half time 4-1
Further squad rotation at half-time saw the change of home keeper and Steve Woosey filling in at centre-back for the first time and looking like he'd played there all his life. There was also a return to action for Dave Bradley who was soon in the thick of the forward action. The Old Boys continued to create chances with Anthony Woosey back on the pitch and pulling strings from the middle of midfield, getting forward on a number of occasions and testing the keeper from range. One of the saves rebounded to Graham Wilks to slot home left-footed but the goal was ruled out for what would have been a very tight offside decision. However, he didn't have to wait too long to double his tally for the game, finishing another nice move arriving at the right time to slot home.
Jeff Britton was called into action a couple of times as Rossett continued to push at the other end, one awkward deflected shot being well caught. However, it was 6-1 just before the halfway point of the second half, another melee in the Rossett penalty area saw an awkward bounce strike an unfortunate defender on the arm and the award of a second penalty. Anthony Woosey resumed spot-kick responsibility and calmly tucked away his second goal of the day.
At the mid-point, the final set of changes rotated things further, this time seeming to disrupt the home side and allow the visitors to put telling pressure on, reducing the lead twice in the space of five minutes, again some good passing getting the strikers in on goal to leave Jeff Britton no hope, especially the second which deflected up off Craig Jones' challenge. However, Rossett's hopes were to be shortlived. The last set of changes also saw a welcome return for Darren Brierley up front. Darren had been leading scorer before a torn hamstring three months ago, although Anthony Woosey has overtaken him since. It wasn't long into his return that he was serving notice that there would be a good competition for this season's 'golden boot' when he rounded the last defender and poked home at the near post to make it 7-3 with his 14th goal of the campaign.
With the wind blown out of their sails and their part-time fitness obviously taking a toll, Rossett's goal came under further siege as the game closed out, several shots fizzing wide before two more goals completed the Old Boys tally and also hat-tricks for first Mark Ray with another typical left-foot drive and then Anthony Woosey with a far post back header to keep him at the top of the scoring charts with 17 for the season. It was also his 50th goal for the Old Boys in just 40 games.
Man-of-the-match was a straight toss-up between the two hat-trick heroes, Anthony Woosey just getting the nod ahead of Sparky. However, once again there were some terrific performances all over the pitch that helped to clinch such an impressive result and much to be pleased about after a string of recent defeats, not least the successful returnees and the number of shots finding the target during the afternoon.
Team: Steve Woosey, Paz Maletta, Pete Dessington (Jeff Britton), Darren Molyneux, Dave Henrys (Steve Bodey), John Edmunds, Phil Ward, Craig Jones (Mel Barnes), Anthony Woosey (Ady Binnersley), Mark Ray (Dave Bradley), Graham Wilks (Darren Brierley)
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5 February 2011 - Bedford Argyle 4 Northop Hall Old Boys 2
A 7-2 defeat at home to Bedford Argyle in November was still fresh in the memory in the build-up to this return fixture. Not only were the Old Boys well beaten by a good side but lost leading-scorer Darren Brierley to a hamstring injury he still hasn't recovered from and Pete Dessington similarly only just returning to the side. With several players again missing for a variety of reasons, including goalkeeper Steve Woosey, a couple of new faces were drafted in to flesh out a thin squad. Jeff Britton who has so impressed on Wednesday nights in the 6-a-side practices was finally persuaded to make his debut between the sticks, whilst Ady Binnersley who, like Mark Ray, had previously been on the scoresheet for Brickfields in games against us, stepped in for his own first appearance in yellow. The defence was boosted by the return of last season's Player-of-the-Season Kieran Whelan for his first game since the end of November, much to the delight of Craig Jones who has stood in admirably in an unfavoured defensive slot and who was also a bit under the weather coming into this fixture.
Fortunately the high winds of the previous day had abated somewhat but the overnight rain had left the ground sodden and continuing showers just made conditions increasingly difficult underfoot, particularly as the game wore on.
The home side had the first half advantage of the remaining wind being at their backs, particularly exploited by the goalkeeper for some big clearances downfield. Bedford, as they had done in the reverse fixture, got the ball down and passed and moved very effectively, testing Jeff Britton early on with a shot that whistled past the post. The Old Boys struggled to get into any sort of rhythm although Anthony Woosey and Graham Wilks (a constant thorn in the home defence) put themselves about well up front to try and make things happen.
However, it was Argyle who drew first blood, albeit in extremely fortunate circumstances as a long range shot struck player-manager Dave Henrys on the side of the head as he tried to dodge out of the way, the ball dropping very kindly for the home striker on the far side to slot in almost unchallenged.
A series of crosses at the other end almost brought about an equaliser, firstly from Phil Southern unable to direct his free header on target from the middle of the goal, then Dave Henrys getting on the end of Mark 'Sparky' Ray's right wing corner but nodding narrowly wide. Anthony Woosey also headed wide from a similar corner as the Old Boys mounted a series of attacks, but the home side were still threatening and Jeff Britton made the first of a series of great saves to tip a shot around his right-hand post.
Bedford scored again when a dangerous right wing cross dropped over the back line. Ady Binnersley covered the run of his marker well but could only clear as far as an opponent on the edge of the penalty area who stabbed the ball immediately beyond Jeff Britton's reach. Soon after, Northop Hall enjoyed a stroke of good fortune as a long range shot bounced up horribly in front of the keeper and bounced off his chest to the home striker whose shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
Anthony Woosey then came close for the Old Boys, his left foot rising piledriver being very well tipped over by the Bedford keeper, but they were soon putting pressure on again at the other end and a melee from a corner saw the ball cleared off the line by the far post by Paz Maletta. The referee however adjudged that he had used a hand and awarded a penalty that saw Jeff sent the wrong way.
Half time 3-0
The second half saw the rain intensify and muddy the ground further, conditions more to the liking of Mike Maletta at the heart of the midfield than the opposition's short passing game, which coupled with having the wind against them allowed the Old Boys to start to gain a foothold in the game. An early goal was going to help greatly and it duly arrived from new boy Ady Binnersley. A deep cross seemed to strike a Bedford hand in the penalty area, but Ady didn't wait for a whistle and thrashed a right foot shot into the roof of the net.
Despite losing substitute Eifion Jones to injury, the away side continued to push and create chances, two really good ones falling to Ant Woosey, but his radar was off today and one shot went wide while the other got stuck in front of goal with the keeper beaten both times. Argyle were still creating chances of their own and the Old Boys had debutant keeper Jeff Britton to thank for a series of full length tips around the post as he was tested from range.
It was Northop Hall who struck next though and in spectacular style as "birthday boy" Darren Molyneux advanced from his left-back position to strike an unstoppable shot from 30 yards that the keeper barely saw let alone had much chance of keeping out. With the game neatly poised and the away team in the ascendancy an unlikely equaliser was always possible but despite a lot of huffing and puffing chances were at a premium and most of the play got condensed and bogged down in the middle of the park. A fine left wing run and cross from Craig Jones almost found Ant Woosey but it was Bedford Argyle who scored the all-important next goal, the striker converting a low cross low to Jeff Britton's right to make it 4-2.
Several players would have been in line for the man-of-the-match award, particularly Mike Maletta in the thick of things in midfield, but the eye-catching display from Jeff Britton between the sticks, keeping the score down and the Old Boys in the game for so long, got the opposition's vote. Overall, it was a pleasing performance in difficult conditions, especially in the second half with the wind behind us, against one of our toughest opponents and with a diminished squad.
Team: Jeff Britton, Paz Maletta, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys (Eifion Jones), Pete Dessington (Ady Binnersley), Mike Maletta (Craig Jones), Phil Southern, Mark Ray, Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks (Steve Bodey)
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22 January 2011 - Northop Hall Nomads 4 Northop Hall Old Boys 3
With several players away, working or injured, the small squad available for this return 'derby' away to Northop Hall rivals Nomads was further decimated by two late call-offs and a no-show at kick-off. Fortunately there were returns for Phil Southern and Pete Dessington, as well as a welcome late offer of help from Wilton Evans whose refereeing duties had earlier been postponed, although with each being over-50, this did serve to send the average age of the squad soaring! Wilton, who retired from goalkeeping duties with the Old Boys after last season's final game against Northop Hall Nomads has been keeping himself fit on a Wednesday night at Flint while the keeper's jersey has since been passed around, but first-choice Steve Woosey was also back to face the team he almost single-handedly kept at bay earlier in the season.
Opening exchanges were fairly even with Nomads creating chances through patient build-up and the Old Boys looking constantly dangerous on the break, particularly when Anthony Woosey and Mark 'Sparky' Ray combined on the left, setting chances up for each other and also for Graham Wilks, all having efforts saved and narrowly wide. Steve Woosey was busy early on too as the game took on a very open feel, but the best of the early chances almost saw a goal for the away side from the back as Darren Molyneux strode forward and shaved the wrong side of the post with his 20-yard right foot shot.
The first goal came from a right wing corner won by Pete Dessington's determination. Sparky's delivery was perfect for Anthony Woosey at the back stick to get up and head back into the opposite corner of the goal to keep up his goal a game average. He nearly doubled the lead soon after with a carbon copy of the first, this time seeing the effort saved. In between times, Craig Jones also had a golden chance with a close range header from a corner but saw his header well tipped over the bar.
Nomads continued creating chances at the other end, Steve Woosey making a number of smart stops as the Old Boys defended doggedly. Eventually, the lead was extended with one of the goals of the season, as much for the build-up as the exquisite finish from the most unlikely of sources. Darren Molyneux started the move from the back finding Anthony Woosey going forward. His switch inside to Graham Wilks was eventually worked out to Wilton Evans clear on the right and cutting the ball to his favoured left foot enabled him to chip into the far corner over the helpless goalkeeper.
Although Nomads struck the woodwork at 0-2, the game should have been effectively ended before half-time but for the referee to rule that Anthony Woosey's header from yet another Mark Ray corner had not crossed the line before being headed out, despite the defender being in the goal at the time, the Nomads players clearly relieved by their stroke of fortune.
Half time 0-2
The lead was halved soon after the break when Nomads fashioned an opening and finish that finally left Steve Woosey helpless but it didn't quell the attacking efforts from the Old Boys, with Graham Wilks and Anthony Woosey a constant thorn in the home defence and only the goalkeeper's efforts between the sticks denying them and Mark Ray once more.
As the half went on, a series of bizarre refereeing decisions started to dominate proceedings, particularly when all 22 players agreed a couple of throw-ins in the spirit of the 'friendly' only to be over-ruled by an over-zealous official in 'traffic warden' mode. However, the Nomads equaliser was his easiest decision of the day. The balance of play had started shifting towards the home side as they shuffled their squad and refreshed players returned to the fray, a luxury that the Old Boys didn't have at their disposal. The ball bobbled agonisingly around the Old Boys six-yard box following a corner and despite a number of fly-hacks and being in and out of the keeper's hands remained uncleared before a goalward shot was 'saved' by defender Darren Molyneux. Again, the ball looked suspiciously over the line anyway but the penalty award followed and the spot-kick was duly despatched for the leveller.
With the play being concentrated more in the Old Boys half, the defending became more determined and probably deserved the luck they got as the ball twice more struck the frame of the goal. At the other end, the Nomads keeper was still keeping efforts out from the left side. Another cross from that side floated over everybody and found Wilton Evans on the right wing going away from goal. However, he cleverly bought a foul from the full-back to set up a free-kick on the edge of the box. Taking the kick himself, Wilton drilled the ball low into the goal at an unprotected near post for a most unlikely second goal of the game in his first outfield appearance for the club.
The final ten minutes saw the pressure from the home side intensify and the tiring old legs of the opposition start to become a factor. Steve Woosey twice swept up beyond his penalty area but the ball was no longer sticking up front and eventually a pull back from the Nomads left wing found a finish close in at the middle of goal for another equaliser.
The game was in its final throes as the Old Boys desperately tried to defend the draw only to be undone by a cracking finish that deserved to win any game. The striker got away down the left, rode one challenge and curled a right foot shot over Steve Woosey and into the far corner of the goal for the winner, agonising for the away side after all their efforts.
The man of the match award from the opposition went to Mark 'Sparky' Ray as the nominations continue to be spread around the team, with Wilton's two-goal effort drawing a mention too. Without exception, the effort put in by everybody else on the day also merits words here. In the end, with both sides being so closely matched, the difference probably just came down to the advanced age of the Old Boys squad on the day and the inability to rotate numbers through the game, although it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the third goal had been correctly called in the first half.
Team: Steve Woosey,Kevin Hoyland, Darren Molyneux, Craig Jones, Dave Henrys, Pete Dessington (Wilton Evans), Phil Ward, Phil Southern, Mark Ray, Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks (Steve Bodey)
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15 January 2011 - Northop Hall Old Boys 2 Halkyn Veterans 4
After an eight week absence the Old Boys returned to Northop Hall for a home fixture, only for the weather conditions to dominate the day, decidedly wet underfoot with a strong wind gusting across the ground. Short of all four goalkeepers in the squad with Steve Davies and Dave Pritchard both recovering from surgery and Steve Woosey and Phil Southern unavailable, Alan Jones from Brickfields kindly stepped in to help out between the sticks. There was also a debut for Andy Ray, Sparky's younger brother, whilst two late calls to work robbed the squad of Kieran Whelan and Neil Sparrow on the morning of the game.
Both sides started brightly and created chances from early on, Halkyn having the slight advantage of the crossfield wind and slope to put pressure on the Old Boys back line. At the other end, Darren Molyneux came close following a foray from the back, with Anthony Woosey and Phil Ward also getting shots on target.
In a game that always looked like it had goals in it, the away side took the lead when the old Boys failed to clear their lines, Alan Jones having no chance with the emphatic finish from close-in. It was short lived though as the home side continued to press as conditions deteriorated underfoot. Anthony Woosey won the ball in a tackle on the edge of the box and as the ball squirted towards goal, Phil Ward showed more hunger than the Halkyn keeper to slide the ball home, a first ever goal for the Northop Hall midfielder duly celebrated.
It should have been two soon after, John Edmunds deep cross picking out Mark 'Sparky' Ray at the far post. With a shot possibly beckoning, he squared the ball back for Mike Maletta but his own effort flew across goal and wide. Halkyn also continued to press and a long range effort thudded the crossbar and came back, while Alan Jones pulled off an excellent one handed save to deny another effort.
Half time 1-1
The second half began fairly evenly, although the away side shaded possession by virtue of keeping the ball out of the muddy middle better than Northop Hall. Mike Maletta was getting well struck in the midfield but a move from the wings caught out the home defence and the ensuing cross and melee in the penalty box ended with a poke home past the stranded keeper.
In the push for a second equaliser, a number of chances went begging and the away keeper made a couple of decent saves to deny Anthony Woosey and Graham Wilks in particular.
Darren Molyneux had swapped full-back berths with Paz Maletta to enable him to get things moving down the right and one such ball set up another chance that Graham Wilks almost got Anthony Woosey in for, the keeper rescuing Halkyn on this occasion. The referee then made a mistake in awarding the Old Boys an offside decision soon after and added to his apology on their next attack by allowing the same player to continue when several yards off, unfortunately resulting in a pull back and tap in for 3-1 when the game was nicely poised. Oy ref! Two wrongs don't make a right!
The Old Boys were guilty on occasions of trying to run the ball through the mud instead of passing, but still were putting pressure on the Halkyn goal. Mark Ray did very well to meet a through ball before the opposing keeper's forward charge from goal, only to be unceremoniously clattered to the ground by him. If it hadn't been a friendly, the keeper as last man would have most certainly been red-carded, but on this occasion a free kick from distance was all that resulted, Anthony Woosey unable to find the target.
Soon after, the same two players contested another ball, this time crossed into the penalty area and once again Sparky was sent crashing, this time with a penalty resulting. Anthony Woosey's spot kick couldn't have been better placed, clipping the keeper's left hand post on its way in, just beyond the outstretched hand as he guessed the right way, but a measure of justice had been done.
It was now all the Old Boys as they looked for a deserved equaliser, but not really able to turn possession into chances and leaving themselves open to counter-attack at the other end as the legs tired in the unforgiving conditions. The first such breakout finished with an astonishing miss with the goal at the striker's mercy, but five minutes from time they clinched the game with a fourth goal from another breakaway, although Alan Jones was extremely unlucky to see his fantastic save just unable to stop the ball dropping in the home goal.
The opposition's nomination for man-of-the-match for his efforts in defence and getting a number of attacks moving was last season's "players' player" Darren Molyneux, with Mike Maletta's midfield industry running him a close second. In the end, Halkyn just managed to master the conditions better than the Old Boys. With several games coming up at the Pavilion over the coming weeks, we are going to have to adjust our tactics a little to cope with the way the home fields tend to go over winter. Fitness will also play a big part with a number of us still looking to shed the excess Christmas turkey and trimmings!
Team: Alan Jones, Paz Maletta (Kevin Hoyland), Darren Molyneux (Eifion Jones), Craig Jones, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds, Phil Ward, Mike Maletta, Mark Ray (Andy Ray), Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks
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8 January 2011 - British Steel Veterans 2 Northop Hall Old Boys 5
Northop Hall Old Boys dusted off the cobwebs after their extended winter break to record a good 5-2 win away at British Steel Veterans. Some six weeks after the last match at Chester Nomads, there were fears of a repeat of last season’s 3-0 drubbing at Rowley Drive, which coincidentally had also come off the back of a string of cancelled fixtures, but those fears were allayed as a hat trick from Anthony Woosey and an unlikely brace from John Edmunds saw the Old Boys to a relatively comfortable victory.
It was the visitors who started the match brightest and could have taken a very early lead when Graham Wilks chased a hopeful long-ball over the defence, and with the Steel back-four stood still, pulled the ball back for strike partner Woosey, only for his left-footed shot to flash wide. Mike Maletta also had a chance from long-range, which was sliced wide.
At the other end, former Old Boy Darren Peters split the defence with a perfectly-weighted long ball, however the striker shot wastefully wide when one-on-one with goalkeeper Steve Woosey. Some better finishing by the British Steel forwards could well have made for an entirely different score line, but it was Northop Hall who, deservedly, grabbed the first goal.
Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray who, like John Edmunds on the opposite flank, had put constant pressure on the opposing full-back during the opening exchanges, won the ball near the by-line. Although in truth he was slightly fortunate not to have conceded a foul, he showed good composure to pull the ball back to Ant Woosey, whose powerful shot could only be helped on its way in by the opposition goalkeeper.
The goal seemed to invigorate the home side however, and with Peters running the game in midfield, British Steel began a period of sustained pressure on Steve Woosey’s goal. First, Peters shot narrowly over from the edge of the box, before his good through ball moments later found the striker who turned Craig Jones and chipped the ball delicately over Steve and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
With large gaps behind both teams’ midfields, the match was very open. Darren Peters could easily have scored against his former side when the Old Boys defence was found guilty of stopping and waiting for an offside call that never arrived, while at the other end a good team move, started and ended by Graham Wilks, resulted in the ‘keeper being forced into a good low save.
Northop Hall did look most likely to score next though, and after Phil Ward had seen a shot blocked following a mêlée in the British Steel penalty box and Anthony Woosey and recently introduced substitute Darren Molyneux had both shot over from distance, a deserved second finally arrived from an unlikely source.
Mark ‘Sparky’ Ray, whose set pieces caused problems all match, delivered a long free kick which evaded everybody’s heads and found John Edmunds at the back post, who was left with a simple finish. Having waited a good few years for a goal before finding the net against Rossett in November, it was his second goal in three games.
Astonishingly he then scored his second of the game, and third of the season, just moments later. After exchanging passes with Chris Preston, he delivered a deep cross-come-shot which sailed over the goalkeeper, off the back post and into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
With British Steel’s heads down and the Old Boys well on top, it looked as though the visitors were sailing to a comfortable win, but on the stroke of half-time the home side clawed a goal back; a good ball from the defence fed Peters, who was a constant thorn in his former team’s side, and his cross was pulled back to present the striker with an easy finish.
Half time 2-3
As a result, the second-half continued in much the same vein as the first-half with a very open match ensuing. For the Old Boys, Mike Maletta could quite easily have had a second-half hat-trick as first he turned Graham Wilks pull-back towards goal only for it pushed away by the ‘keeper and then missed a great chance moments later as he was gifted a free header from a corner, only for the diving effort to fly over. Later, he was to miss from another header, this time unfortunately diverting the ball away from the much better placed Kev Higgins behind him.
At the other end, Steve Woosey saved well from a Darren Peters shot that bounced awkwardly in front of him, and spared Kev Higgins blushes after the centre-back slipped to allow the home side’s striker to get in behind the defence, saving smartly from the resultant shot.
For the Old Boys, the reintroduction of Anthony Woosey up front nearly paid immediate dividends as he found himself one-on-one with the opposition ‘keeper but he somehow contrived to shoot weakly straight at him. He soon made amends however, as a great ball from Phil Ward played him in behind the defence and the Old Boys all-time top goalscorer made no mistake this time, shooting powerfully past the keeper’s near post to make it 4-2 and seemingly put the match beyond the home side.
Anthony had scored twice each in his two previous encounters with this opposition, but on this occasion he managed to go one better, grabbing an incredible sixth hat trick of his Old Boys career. Neil Sparrow’s rampaging run from left-back looked to have been halted as he stumbled when taking on the right-back, but he did well to retain possession and find Anthony in space to his left. The striker tucked the ball past the goalkeeper to complete the scoring, confirming a well-deserved win for the Old Boys.
Man of the match was awarded to hat-trick hero Anthony Woosey although John Edmunds will no doubt have run him close, not just for his two goals but for his performance up against Darren Peters in midfield. In all, a well-deserved win and a very encouraging start to 2011.
Team: Steve Woosey, Paz Maletta (Kevin Hoyland), Neil Sparrow (Darren Molyneux), Craig Jones (Kev Higgins), Dave Henrys, John Edmunds, Phil Ward (Chris Preston), Mike Maletta, Mark Ray, Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks (Steve Bodey)
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27 November 2010 - Chester Nomads 5ths 2 Northop Hall Old Boys 2
As winter took an unseasonably early grip, the Old Boys left a layer of frozen snow behind at Northop Hall for the short trip to Chester Nomads where they had escaped the snow, but still required a morning inspection of the frozen ground before pronouncing the ground fit for afternoon play. With Dave Pritchard away, the away side were happy to welcome back goalkeeper Steve Woosey for only his second game, having been injured during his debut heroics earlier in the season keeping Northop Hall Nomads at bay. A few other returnees from the previous week boosted the squad numbers - just as well as things transpired. As well as the Woosey brothers reuniting, the Maletta's in the Northop Hall ranks found themselves up against a third brother playing right back for Chester which must have been a first for them.
Conditions underfoot had probably not responded under the powerful sunshine as much as had been hoped and the match on the adjacent pitch was abandoned after just 15 minutes (although the visitors being 3-0 down at that point probably swayed their opinion as much as the weather). The two teams here though pledged to get a game on and keep tackles to a safe level and that common sense approach allowed the game to run its course. The biggest problem on the day was the position of the low, bright sun, just behind the goal that the Old Boys chose to attack uphill first half, making it difficult to see not only any high ball played up but also the players coming in behind it.
The match also saw a debut for a young referee stepping up from under-12 duties for the first time and he was central to the opening goal of the game. Chester had started brightly with their pitch advantage and already tested Steve Woosey early on. An attack down the left saw the Chester player well offside but the young referee by his own later admission wasn't in a good position to see and allowed play to continue with a simple cross and shot from close range that Steve had no hope with.
As the half progressed though, Northop Hall began to carve out chances of their own, Anthony Woosey combining to put Dave Bradley through but his left foot shot just passed the wrong side of the post before Anthony met Mark Ray's left wing cross but his header was straight at the keeper. At the other end, Steve Woosey made a couple of good saves to keep the score at one. A pulled hamstring ended Dave Bradley's participation early on and necessitated the first of several reshuffles that fully tested the versatility of the likes of Darren Molyneux and Craig Jones. Phil Ward then shot just over from range while a right wing move put Phil Southern in only for him to shoot wide. Anthony Woosey and Phil Southern had shots off target as the half progressed but it was Chester who extended their lead. They were extensively using the long ball out of the sun to greater effect and another was met by a cross and close range shot perhaps a little against the run of play.
The best chance of the half fell to Anthony Woosey at the other end though, the result of a neat move to get the ball in to him in the right channel but the home keeper was quick off his line to smother the one-on-one chance. Before half-time, the Old Boys lost Phil Southern to injury stretching resources further as the difficult half concluded.
Half time 2-0
The second half was a different story for the visitors, the sun now at their backs and the slope running in their favour. It didn't take long for them to start tormenting Chester Nomads with a few teasing high balls of their own, Anthony Woosey and Graham Wilks always willing runners up front getting good support from Mark Ray and Mike Maletta on the flanks. A run and deep cross from the left from Mark Ray was perfect for Anthony Woosey to head in from very close range to cut the deficit.
Chester were still carving out chances of their own, but Steve Woosey dealt well with everything coming at him and gave the Old Boys a platform to push for the equaliser and it duly came when Graham Wilks held off several challenges before releasing Anthony Woosey at just the right moment to run through and bag his second double in successive weeks.
Mike Maletta's game ended ironically with a long range attempt in vain on an empty goal after a poor clearance from the Chester keeper, another pulled muscle on a bitterly cold day that was getting colder by the second half minute. Another pinpoint cross from Mark Ray found Anthony Woosey's head in the middle of the penalty area but he couldn't direct it past the keeper again, whilst Chester started to exert a bit of pressure at the other end themselves, the Old Boys lucky to escape a one-on-one chance when the striker beat Steve Woosey to the ball but put his shot wide.
In the end, as conditions worsened underfoot, the referee (whose performance improved as the game progressed) drew a close to the game with the score rightly deadlocked and both teams taking much credit for making such a game of it in the difficult conditions.
The opposition's man-of-the-match vote was for Kieran Whelan to take him to the top of the leader board for nominations this season, his marauding forward runs and solid defending catching the eye ahead of a number of other decent efforts from the likes of Mark Ray and Anthony Woosey amongst others.
Team: Steve Woosey, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow (Eifion Jones), Darren Molyneux, Dave Henrys, Mike Maletta (Phil Ward), Craig Jones, Phil Southern, Mark Ray (Graham Wilks), Anthony Woosey, Dave Bradley (Kieran Whelan)
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20 November 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 4 St Mary's (Liverpool) 2
During the early encounters, honours were even with the home team finally managing to get past the first few minutes of a game without conceding a goal!
Anthony Woosey engineered a couple of openings which, unusually for him, failed to hit the target. Graham Wilks anticipated a through ball, just getting his toe to the ball before the onrushing goalkeeper only to see his shot parried for a corner and his sock shredded by the keepers studs (sorry Dave a new pair of socks required!!).
In the twentieth minute a free kick was conceded 25 yards out on the left hand side. The St Marys midfielder rifled an unerring shot towards the home goal which fizzed into the top right hand corner, giving Dave Prichard no chance.
The Old Boys continued to press the opposition goal and finally a lovely move down the left hand side resulted in the cross being met on the penalty spot by a flying header from Anthony Woosey which flew past the stranded St Marys keeper.
Half time 1-1
Richie Moore replaced Dave Bradley at half time and the game settled to a similar pattern as the first with the Old Boys continuing to bite in the tackle and have the better of the play. Following some early pressure the ball was half cleared to 35 yards from the St Marys goal. Craig Jones galloped forward to crack the bouncing ball through a ruck of players and when everyone expected to see the ball disappear over the far hedge, it amazingly flew towards the goal a foot below crossbar height. The St Marys keeper got across to cover the ball, but much to his dismay, and Craig’s delighted surprise, the ball squirmed through hands and landed over the line for Northop Hall’s second goal.
A few minutes later a lovely through ball over the top put Graham Wilks away down the right hand side. His early cross to the far side found Anthony Woosey in space to rifle his second goal past the square opposition defence.
St Marys rallied and started to build pressure on the home goal but some resolute tackling from the back four kept Dave Prichard’s goal intact. With 15 minutes to go Northop Hall mounted another attack which resulted in Mark "Sparky" Ray latching onto the through ball and lashing an unstoppable shot past the hapless St Marys keeper to make the score 4-1.
Following John Edmunds long awaited goal last week we thought the moment had finally arrived for Paz Maletta to break his duck when a failed clearance landed at his feet twenty five yards from goal. He bore down on the lonesome St Marys keeper but his shot from just inside the box took off over the bar with Paz flat on his back emitting a frenzied squeal of anguish – just like his team mates!!. The match reporter then lost track of the game as he went to bravely retrieve the ball which had been dispatched into the deepest bramble thicket on the far side of the raging torrent of the stream!
He eventually emerged just in time to see Dave Prichard make a fingertip save onto the crossbar only to see the ball land at an attackers feet, who lashed the ball into the net to make the final score 4-2.
This was another fine all round performance against a good opposition with the scoreline a true reflection of the play. A well deserved man of the match accolade was awarded to Craig Jones, with Sparky running him a close second.
Team: Dave Pritchard, John Edmunds, Paz Maletta, Craig Jones, Darren Molyneux, Mike Maletta, Phil Ward, Anthony Woosey, Mark Ray, Graham Wilks, Dave Bradley; subs. Richard Moore, Steve Bodey *******************************************************************************
13 November 2010 - Rossett Veterans 1 Northop Hall Old Boys 3 (at Queensway, Wrexham)
A first ever fixture against Rossett Veterans (only their second game) took place on the prestigious surface at Queensway, Wrexham, with the big stands by the surrounding athletics track unsurprisingly empty. Nevertheless, it was a rare opportunity to play some football on the deck at this time of year as the usual pitches start becoming muddier and impress the few who had come out to watch. Having been tipped the wink that Rossett's team were going to be a bit more mature in years than the usual opposition, Northop Hall took a slightly more aged squad up to Queens Park, Steve Bodey, Dave Bradley and Declan Hickey all returning. Injury meant the loss of Pete Dessington and Darren Brierley, with the unavailability of Kieran Whelan and Chris Preston helping to add up the average age of the squad. Dave Pritchard continued his run as stand-in goalkeeper with still no sign of a return from either of the first-choices (a situation that will need to be addressed before the new year as Dave is due keyhole surgery on his long-standing knee problem.)
As has been the case too often in recent weeks, the Old Boys made a terrible start to the game and found themselves behind from the first attack of the game, which ironically started from their own sloppy kick-off. As the ball was given away cheaply, Rossett broke down the right and a low cross found an unmarked runner close in to give Dave Pritchard no chance for the worst possible start.
It took a while for Northop Hall to get the measure of a pitch that offered a true roll and bounce, but they were soon using the spaces down the flanks to good purpose. Graham Wilks turned a right wing cross high and wide whilst Mark Ray, Dave Bradley, John Edmunds and Anthony Woosey all shot wide or over. At the other end, a couple of breaks got the Rossett strikers a sight of goal, although Dave Pritchard was only really tested by a misplaced right wing cross that he had to parry onto the bar at his near post.
For all their possession, the half went on in much the same way. Phil Ward saw a shot wide and the Rossett keeper had a couple of speculative efforts straight at him, including a John Edmunds header, before finally Mark Ray got away down the left channel and cut a low shot into the far corner to level things up.
Half time 1-1
The second half belonged almost exclusively to the Old Boys with Darren Molyneux pushing up on the left and John Edmunds seeing much more of the ball on the right wing as a host of chances were created and spurned. Dave Bradley was in the thick of the action seeing a low shot race wide and being inches away from turning crosses from John Edmunds and Graham Wilks in. Graham and Anthony Woosey both tested the keeper, Mark Ray fired across goal and another cross from the left from Graham after good work from Declan Hickey just needed somebody to poke a boot out as it flashed across goal, but it somehow eluded everybody. The best chance fell to Mark Ray put through one on one but closed down quickly by the Rossett keeper to block the left foot shot.
Dave Pritchard in the Old Boys goal was a virtual spectator of the frustrating scenes at the other end, but eventual a goal of real quality put Northop Hall justifiably ahead. Some good passing down the left found Darren Molyneux in space. He switched play neatly to the right where Craig Jones had joined the attack and his pinpoint far post cross was straight into Anthony Woosey's path to put a towering header home.
The Old Boys survived a scare as a breakaway caught the defence out and ended with the striker scuffing his shot wide, but as more pressure was applied at the other end, Anthony Woosey becoming more influential from the centre of midfield, the decisive goal came the way of the Old Boys, another blocked shot falling nicely to John Edmunds who stroked home his first ever goal for the club (and for a good few years) with a low left foot shot, rightly celebrated expansively!
The Rossett manager's 25-year-old son came on for the last five minutes and immediately raced away only to shoot wide and then again moments later was too high with another effort, but the day belonged to the more experienced side as Dave Bradley came close again to adding another at the end for the Old Boys.
The opposition's man-of-the-match nomination went to Anthony Woosey, just ahead of Darren Molyneux, with his goal seemingly swinging the final vote. For everybody, the well-manicured playing surface gave the chance to play a bit more football and, once we got used to it, there were some good moments to look back on. A number of players benefitted too from having more playing time than in recent weeks which was the other big advantage of the fixture.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow, Craig Jones (Darren Molyneux), Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Steve Bodey), Phil Ward, Anthony Woosey, Mark Ray, Graham Wilks, Dave Bradley (Declan Hickey)
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6 November 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 2 Bedford Argyle 7
The manager asked for a stronger start from Northop Hall today and couldn't have had a better response from his players against a very good Bedford Argyle side from the Wirral who started the game strongly themselves. The Old Boys had most of their squad available and Phil Ward was back in centre midfield to replace Phil Southern. Dave Pritchard continued his long spell as stand-in goalkeeper behind what should have been a team high on confidence after recent performances.
Both sides were quickly into their stride with Darren Brierley and Mark Ray putting the visitors defence under pressure from the off and the home defence called into action early on to snuff out some lively movement at the other end, especially from the wide areas. Both sides had a couple of long range shots that hadn't stretched either keeper before Darren Molyneux sent Mark Ray away down the left and his pinpoint cross to the far post picked out Darren Brierley to head home from close in to keep his remarkable scoring run going with his tenth goal in the past four games.
However, that was as good as it got for the home side. Firstly a cross from the speedy left winger found a timely run from midfield to finish and was soon followed by an accurate long range shot into the bottom corner of Dave Pritchard's goal to put the Old Boys behind. Pete Dessington was introduced but lasted barely a couple of minutes before pulling up and having to be replaced himself.
Chances were still coming at the other end as Mark Ray continued to torment the Bedford right back and create openings for firstly Darren Brierley then Graham Wilks. In between, a typical mazy Kieran Whelan run from the back took him all the way through for a shot on goal that narrowly passed the wrong side of the far post. Mark Ray himself then blazed over the bar cutting in from the left.
The good work was undone by a poor goal kick that allowed the strikers to combine to make it three and but for a couple of decent saves from Dave Pritchard, one from close range with his legs, it would have soon got much worse. However, on the stroke of half-time it did as a fast breakaway from the opposition put their striker through on goal, looking suspiciously offside but allowed to go on and leave Dave with no chance again.
Half time 1-4
The second half began better for the Old Boys and a goal then would have made things interesting. Mark Ray forced the goalkeeper into a smart save but chances were at a premium as passes went astray too often. At the other end, the Northop Hall goal was living a charmed life with the post and crossbar both keeping shots out as well as a series of tremendous saves from Dave Pritchard, including one from close range that defied belief.
Eventually though, the pressure told. A driving run from the middle of midfield went unchecked and ended with a low shot into the corner. Paz Maletta cleared off the line from a corner soon after but the respite was short lived as a thumping shot arrowed into the top corner, Dave Pritchard unable to do anything about it.
There was small consolation for the home side as Darren Brierley beat the goalkeeper to a through ball down the left channel, but as the ball nestled in the corner, Darren was writhing in agony as a hamstring injury ended his day prematurely and there was much concern as the leading scorer was carried to the changing rooms. Mark Ray returned to the attack and had a low shot that tested the keeper.
In the end though, the rout was completed when Dave Pritchard undid some of the terrific work he had put in earlier by scuffing his goal kick straight to an opponent who made him pay with a low shot into the corner to make it seven for Bedford Argyle.
The man-of-the-match was only ever going to be Dave Pritchard for his heroics between the sticks to keep the score from being more embarrassing against a very well organised opposition who played some really good pass and move football on the day. The Old Boys unusually couldn't seem to string more than two passes together at times and resorted to trying unsuccessfully to launch the ball long too often. There is much improvement needed to get back to the levels of the previous weeks.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys (Neil Sparrow), John Edmunds (Pete Dessington) (Kevin Hoyland), Craig Jones (Mike Maletta), Phil Ward, Anthony Woosey, Darren Brierley (Graham Wilks), Mark Ray
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30 October 2010 - Rhewl Veterans 2 Northop Hall Old Boys 4
The Old Boys travelled west into Denbighshire for the visit to Rhewl, bolstered by the late availability of Anthony Woosey but hampered by the late arrival of Craig Jones that threw the manager's plans off course for the start of the match. Dave Pritchard continued to deputise in goal as we await the recovery of one of the regular keepers.
Northop Hall have started slowly in almost every game this season and this one was no exception, only this time the very first attack of the game by the home team ended with the ball in the back of Dave's net. The home striker's weaving run was almost stopped by a defensive toe-in only for the ball to unluckily rebound back into his path off another tracking defender, leaving him time and space to lay the ball across for a simple finish by his oncoming colleague.
With their tails up, Rhewl immediately pushed on to try and take advantage, a series of crossfield long balls looking to get their speedy wide men in, but good covering across the back line kept them at bay. At the other end, the Old Boys managed to put a few moves together and both Darren Brierley and Graham Wilks saw shots saved before a golden chance fell first to Phil Southern with a close range header and to Eifion Jones on the follow-up who could only shoot at the keeper.
Another good passage of play put the lively Darren Brierley through in the left channel. He looked second favourite to get there, but nicked the ball round the keeper and from a narrow angle saw his shot strike the foot of the post. Dave Pritchard was handling a succession of long shots well at the other end as Pete Dessington also saw a left foot shot hit the side netting before the first set of changes brought fresh impetus to the away team's attacks.
Anthony Woosey and Kevin Hoyland both saw shots saved again as the Old Boys sought a way back in, only to lose a second goal before half time as a long crossfield ball caught the defence out and left their speedy striker to bear down and beat Dave Pritchard with a low finish he could do nothing with.
Half time 2-0
After the restart, Northop Hall began to get a better foothold in the game as changes by the opposition saw Anthony Woosey and Mark Ray start to enjoy plenty of room down the left and Craig Jones begin to push on from midfield a bit more. Chances soon came, Pete Dessington flashing a right foot shot across goal that Mark Ray was unlucky not to latch on to and Darren Brierley bringing a close range save out of the keeper. Eventually, a through ball from Anthony Woosey put Darren through on goal and he made no mistake with a low finish that bobbled over the keeper's despairing dive to bring Northop Hall right back into it.
From that point, chances continued to present themselves, Anthony Woosey flashing a shot just over the bar before seeing his header from a corner drop a foot over the line before being cleared, a view not shared by the referee. Eventually an equaliser did come, Craig Jones putting Anthony away down the left and his measured cross to the far post saw Darren Brierley pop a header in from close range to take his tally to double figures for the season.
With the game right in the balance, Rhewl were unlucky not to regain the lead. Firstly a shot came back off the post into Dave Pritchard's arms, then he saved well with his feet as the striker got through again. Darren Brierley also saw a shot clip the crossbar at the other end before a long ball from the back saw him bearing down on the Rhewl goal again. With room to move in on goal he elected to take the shot early and saw his hat-trick complete as the ball nestled in the corner of the goal, his second successive three-goal strike for the Old Boys.
A nasty clash of heads on the edge of the Old Boys box between Kieran Whelan and the home team striker saw both off with cuts, Kieran's later requiring a hospital visit to glue the wound together. Dave Henrys returned to the action and was soon exploiting the open spaces on the left side feeding the supporting Craig Jones. The midfielder was given the time and space to turn inside and made the opposition pay with a tremendous curling right foot shot over the keeper into the far corner from 20 yards out.
In the closing stages, Mark Ray came closest to adding to the score but saw his effort again well saved by the home keeper. Rhewl managed a couple of long range shots but they didn't come close to the Old Boys goal and a third consecutive victory, the sixth in eight games this season, was recorded.
Darren Brierley's goalscoring exploits were further rewarded with the opposition's man-of-the-match nomination, but again there were contributions from all over the pitch in another battling performance.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys, Kevin Hoyland, Eifion Jones (Craig Jones), Phil Southern (Declan Hickey), Pete Dessington (Anthony Woosey), Darren Brierley (Mark Ray), Graham Wilks
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23 October 2010 - Halkyn Veterans 1 Northop Hall Old Boys 7
Another large squad presented itself for the short trip to Halkyn on a showery afternoon that had softened the ground up nicely. The late withdrawal of Phil Ward through illness and with Chris Preston unavailable, Craig Jones was pushed up into midfield to join Anthony Woosey proving his adaptability to move centrally. Dave Pritchard continued to stand-in between the sticks as we wait on the recovery of one of the injured regular goalkeepers.
It was the home team that started the brightest, the Old Boys as usual taking a few minutes to sort themselves out, but Halkyn were unable to press their advantage until they benefitted from a generous offside call, their striker looking many yards off as he latched on to a ball over the top and bore down on Dave Pritchard's goal. Although Dave got a hand to the shot, he couldn't keep it out.
By that time, Northop Hall had got into their stride and both Dave Bradley and Kevin Hoyland shot wide across goal from the right side while Darren Brierley was already causing problems to the back line. Phil Southern and Craig Jones took an iron grip on the midfield and it wasn't long before the equaliser came. It began with an important tackle at the back from Darren Molyneux and two passes later Darren Brierley burst in from the left to put an unstoppable curling shot in off the far post.
It wasn't long before it was two, with Darren Molyneux again instrumental in the build-up, a neat chip over the top putting Darren Brierley away from the defence to finish neatly again. Some fine passing moves continued to create chances, Kevin Hoyland bursting in from the right to latch on to Dave Bradley's cute backheel but blasting wide at the end of one of the best of them, while Phil Southern also missed narrowly with a near-post header from a right wing corner.
Halkyn were being kept to a distance by a well-marshalled defence, but they did come close with a teasing cross that Dave Pritchard did well to fingertip off the oncoming striker's head and Darren Molyneux cleared off the line at the far post to complete the block. He then led a lightning break-out with Pete Dessington that seemed to have broken down as the Halkyn defender got to the through ball first, but his header back was too wide for his goalkeeper and Darren Molyneux completed his run of the entire length of the pitch to knock the ball into the open goal. Moments later he was looking for a second as a misdirected clearance from the home keeper landed at his feet, but his first time shot from just over the halfway line went agonisingly wide.
Changes on the half hour brought Anthony Woosey into midfield and he was soon knocking the ball forward at will to pick out the equally fresh legs of Mark Ray and Graham Wilks. After a couple of early sighters for each, Graham Wilks was played in down the inside-right channel and finished neatly for his third goal of the season. He was soon followed to that mark by Kevin Hoyland who benefitted from a fortuitous bobble off the pitch as he burst forward from halfway, his right foot shot dipping nicely over the stranded and shell-shocked Halkyn keeper.
Half time 1-5
The second half saw the home team playing down the slight slope and they took advantage to get away a couple of times, but both Kieran Whelan and Darren Molyneux made important tackles before Dave Pritchard had to come off his line to block one himself. Otherwise it was all long range stuff that Dave dealt with competently.
At the other end, with the Old Boys continuing to knock the ball around very well, a rasping shot from Dave Bradley almost caught out the keeper at his near post and both Mark Ray and Anthony Woosey shot wide. On the hour, the second set of changes brought Darren Brierley back into the attack and he was soon hunting down his hat-trick as the game spread out and the Old Boys took full advantage of both flanks. Kieran Whelan was also back on and one his trademark marauding runs forward to join the attack ended with a curled shot just wide of the far post. Mark Ray breaking in from the left side forced a smart save from the Halkyn keeper as well as blasting another shot over.
Halkyn to their credit held firm for most of the second half although they rode their luck as Anthony Woosey's deflected shot crashed back off the crossbar and Darren Brierley failed to take advantage of a long range open goal as the defence got itself into a mess and left the keeper stranded. Eventually Anthony did get his reward latching on to Mark Ray's cross to make it six-one. Minutes later Darren Brierley made it seven, completing his hat-trick as he left the last defender in his wake to notch his eighth goal of the season.
As the clock ticked down, Steve Bodey's late cameo almost resulted in a goal for himself as he rose to meet John Edmunds' weighted cross but saw his header flash just wide. The final whistle saw the curtain drop on probably the finest all-round performance of the Old Boys short history.
The opposition had the unenviable job of choosing a man-of-the-match from amongst a high number of quality performances. Centre-back Kieran Whelan got the nod on the day we scored seven goals away from home to show what an all-round effort it had been. Darren Brierley's hat-trick would have taken him close, as would the consistency of play from Darren Molyneux and Anthony Woosey amongst others. Also worthy of note was Phil Southern who won almost every header in midfield as well as a high number of tackles to break up the opposition's strongest area. However, not one player would have left the pitch thinking that their considerable effort on the day hadn't contributed to such a tremendous overall display.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta (John Edmunds), Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan (Eifion Jones), Dave Henrys, Kevin Hoyland, Craig Jones (Anthony Woosey), Phil Southern, Pete Dessington (Mark Ray), Dave Bradley, Darren Brierley (Graham Wilks) (Steve Bodey)
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16 October 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 5 Upton Magnets 1
After last week's uneven contest it was back to veterans football with Upton Magnets (just about!) bringing a team of over-35's to Northop Hall, where the home team had a vast squad to choose from and had to turn players away for the first time ever! (Thanks to those who volunteered this week). So with a number of players returning, team rotation was the name of the game again, apart from Dave Pritchard who was once again stand-in goalkeeper.
It took a few minutes for the old Boys to get going again and Upton fashioned a couple of early chances that came to nothing before a couple of decent passing moves got the home team pressing forward, the pace of Kevin Hoyland and Anthony Woosey on the flanks, supplemented by Chris Preston in the centre, creating a couple of efforts that the away keeper did well with and efforts from Anthony and Mark Ray that were powered over the bar.
One particular move saw Anthony Woosey's powerful left foot shot turned away brilliantly by Upton's goalie for a corner. From Chris Preston's cross, first Anthony Woosey then Dave Henrys saw efforts cleared off the line before Mark Ray smashed a left foot shot into the back of the net to open the scoring.
With Dave Pritchard and the back four coping well with a high ball assault at the other end, the Old Boys continued to press and Dave Henrys was one of several players guilty of failing to make the most of good opportunities, Mark Ray also putting a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the area. Changes on the half hour freshened things up again and further pressure was soon being put on by Craig Jones and Kieran Whelan both making marauding runs from the back.
Eventually a second goal did come, the opposition keeper clearing a ball straight to Darren Brierley who calmly put Graham Wilks through to score, despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
Half time 2-0
Following the break, the pattern remained the same, with Old Boys pressing forward at every opportunity but still having to defend doggedly. Anthony Woosey had a free kick tipped over the bar and Darren Brierley shot wide when through.
Upton got themselves back in the game benefitting from an extraordinary refereeing decision. A high ball into the Old Boys penalty box saw Dave Henrys blatantly shoved as he went for a clearing header. As the ball bounced towards the home goal, with Kieran Whelan facing his own net under pressure from oncoming attackers, the referee shouted to play advantage rather than blow for the foul that he'd seen (although clearly none existed) and in the melee that followed the ball ended up in the home goal, Kieran himself having the last touch.
Upton clearly sensed an opportunity to get back into the game and promptly sent on a substitute striker so young that he was asked if he'd just come out of the playground! However, Kieran Whelan managed to keep him quiet although not before a nasty challenge on Kev Higgins - it's hard to get out of the way when you get to our age!
However, it was the Old Boys who managed the best of the chances from then on and with Darren Brierley and Mark Ray stretching the tiring defence, a series of crosses flashed across goal just begging a finishing touch. In the end, it was an unlikely scorer that restored the two-goal lead, Declan Hickey pouncing to stab home his first goal since December 2008 as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery.
Phil Southern had a header that looped over and both Anthony Woosey and Mark Ray had left foot shots saved before the game was put out of reach in the last ten minutes. Phil Southern took advantage of a misplaced clearance and headed over the top for Darren Brierley to leave the defenders standing and finally nestle a shot into the corner. Before long he was repeating the finish, this time latching on to Anthony Woosey's fine through ball.
In the end a decisive 5-1 win, but Upton made the Old Boys work hard for the win that was not as easy as the final scoreline suggests, as empahsised by the opposition choice of centre-half Kieran Whelan as their man-of-the-match nomination, just ahead of Chris Preston and Darren Brierley. It was a very good performance from everybody though, from front to back. The only minor criticism might be that we get the ball down and play it a bit more often, but it would be churlish to be anything but pleased overall.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta (Darren Molyneux), Craig Jones, Kev Higgins (Kieran Whelan), Dave Henrys, Mike Maletta, Chris Preston, Phil Southern (Declan Hickey), Anthony Woosey (Kevin Hoyland), Graham Wilks, Mark Ray (Darren Brierley)
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9 October 2010 - Rock Ferry Veterans 3 Northop Hall Old Boys 0
A real backs-to-the-wall effort was required for the Old Boys as their opponents put out a team of which at least half were aged under-35 veteran status, combined with a number of key absentees and a playing surface that hadn't seen a mower in quite a while negating the usual Northop Hall passing style.
However, there were battling performances from everybody in the yellow shirt to assure that Rock Ferry knew that they had been in a game, especially as the summer made a late appearance to keep things warm. The game also saw a season start for both Mike Maletta and Eifion Jones, but an injury picked up in his heroic performance last week saw Steve Woosey out, Dave Pritchard once more picking up the gloves to stand-in as last line of defence.
Rock Ferry started very strongly and were putting pressure on the away goal before the Old Boys could get themselves going, stretching the game and attacking both flanks dangerously. It wasn't long before they got their striker in to open the scoring despite Dave Pritchard getting a good hand to the shot.
Chances at the other end were at an absoulute premium. Dave Bradley combined with Kevin Hoyland to get the latter away down the right but his perfect cross found the penalty area bare as the Old Boys tried in vain to join up the play. Mark Ray had a snapshot on the turn and a free-kick that went over the bar but the nearest first half effort was a Dave Bradley free-kick that curled wide.
By comparison, chances were aplenty in front of Dave Pritchard's goal and he had to make a couple of smart saves to keep the score down to one, aided by some last-ditch tackles, blocks and headers from a stubborn defence, including a trademark off-the-line clearance from Paz Maletta and several diving clearing headers from Kieran Whelan.
Half time 0-1
The second half was a much more even affair until late in the game. Eifion Jones was introduced down the right and produced a quality cross behind the defence that nobody read to get on the end of.
Another Mark Ray snapshot and a Craig Jones free-kick showed a bit more intent on the home goal, the best chance coming when Dave Bradley's free-kick got Kevin Hoyland in one-on-one but he couldn't quite beat the oncoming keeper.
Plenty of Rock Ferry attacks were being thwarted at the other end, Dave Pritchard again providing a couple of smart saves and Paz Maletta producing a last ditch tackle when the young striker was right through that just put him off his shot sufficiently. Finally the pressure told as the younger team drove a move through midfield that wasn't tracked and with a numerical advantage in front of goal worked an opening that Dave had no chance of keeping out.
In the closing minutes, the Old Boys lost Darren Molyneux to injury and the young winger that he had been marshalling well through the game was able to get in and cross for an oncoming team-mate to slot home all alone in the middle to complete the scoring.
So an end to Northop Hall's unbeaten start to the season, but no disgrace in battle against a team that we were probably giving an average ten years to on the day. Needless to say, there won't be a repeat fixture next season if Rock Ferry travel to North Wales with a similar age group for the return game in February. It's a particular bugbear that we are a genuine veterans side and look to play those teams that match up in age.
The opposition awarded Dave Bradley with the man-of-the-match although another strong performance in centre midfield from Craig Jones and a solid effort at the heart of defence from Kieran Whelan would have had them in contention too.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys (Craig McTavish), Kevin Hoyland (Eifion Jones), Craig Jones, Phil Ward, Neil Sparrow (Mike Maletta), Dave Bradley (Declan Hickey), Mark Ray
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2 October 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 2 Northop Hall Nomads 0
Boosted by the return of Kieran Whelan and Darren Molyneux in defence, the Old Boys gave competitive debuts to Dave Bradley and Simon Rowley and with the perennial stand-in goalkeeper Dave Pritchard away, welcomed Anthony Woosey's brother Steve between the sticks. The last game between the two local rivals ended with a heavy 8-2 defeat for the Old Boys at the end of last season so they were looking for some revenge today.
Hopefully Anthony had prewarned Steve about how busy he may find things in this team and he was soon seeing plenty of the ball as a very strong looking Nomads team settled quickest, especially through midfield, and set up a couple of early chances. Darren Molyneux was instrumental early on in keeping the opposition out down the right which was where they seemed to want to pivot many of their attacks from.
Although there were early signs of the Old Boys getting their passing game going and looking to get the pace of Darren Brierley and Mark Ray in up front, the first real chances fell to the opposition. Firstly, breaching the back line their striker was clean through but Steve Woosey was off his line quickly to narrow the angle and keep out the shot. There were also a few shots from the edge of the area to deal with low down as well as commanding his area as balls rained in for a while. The defence too were putting some solid tackles and blocks in to keep the ball out.
Against the run of play a long kick out from goal was headed on by Phil Southern to put 'Sparky' Ray in behind the defence at the other end and he slotted in calmly to open the scoring.
The Old Boys made a number of changes after a quarter of the game and Anthony Woosey and Graham Wilks were both soon combining with Darren Brierley to come close to a second goal. After Steve Woosey and his defenders combined to thwart another dangerous Nomads double assault at the other end, a long clearance from Darren Molyneux caused confusion between Nomads defender and goalkeeper and was seized upon by the pacy Darren Brierley to round the keeper and leave himself a simple tap-in to double the lead. There was still time before the break for Steve Woosey to deny Nomads twice more, once with an acrobatic tip around the post.
Half time 2-0
Several more changes after the break seemed to galvanise the home team again with a better grip taken in midfield to stem the Nomads attacks a little. A third goal also looked likely as Mark Ray twice brought fine low saves at his near post from the away keeper and Phil Southern came closest of all getting in a right foot shot from the edge of the area after a melee in the box, only to see the ball come back off the crossbar.
It was far from being all the home team though and Steve Woosey was busy around his area, particularly to keep out a close range header from a corner. Chances continued to come and go at both ends and Mark Ray was desperately unlucky not to bag a second for himself when he got clear of the defence only to see his chip beat the keeper and the far post.
A final set of changes on the three quarter game mark brought Phil Ward back into the fray and his bursting run from midfield almost paid dividends as he got through on goal but shot wide. It was still end-to-end with chances aplenty and goalkeepers keeping everything out, most notably the Nomads keeper from a long range piledriver from Dave Bradley (instantly recognisable to those of us who play Wednesday nights with him!) who couldn't have hit his right foot shot any better but saw it tipped away at full stretch.
More stoic defending to the final whistle kept the score to nil, a rare clean sheet for the Old Boys but well deserved for some hard work at the back against good opposition who will have left wondering how they didn't manage to register at least once.
Unsurprisingly, Steve Woosey got their man-of-the-match nomination for his heroics between the sticks (we hope to see him in there again a good number of times during the season), but would have been closely followed by several of the outfield players, especially Darren Molyneux who was again solid at left back. Once more, an excellent hard-working performance with great attitude and versatility from everybody, which is making for a really good team spirit this season.
Team: Steve Woosey, John Edmunds, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys, Phil Southern (Craig Jones), Phil Ward, Dave Bradley (Paz Maletta), Simon Rowley (Anthony Woosey), Darren Brierley, Mark Ray (Graham Wilks)
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25 September 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 5 Warrington Croft 4
The Old Boys faced a strong but sparse Warrington Croft squad at the Pavilion, missing both of last season's players of the year, Kieran Whelan and Darren Molyneux in defence and injured Graham Wilks up front, but with player-manager Dave Henrys and fellow centre back Kev Higgins stepping out for their first appearances of the season along with Kevin Hoyland on the right of attack. Dave Pritchard continued covering in goal whilst ahead of him a very attacking formation took shape to accommodate a squad heavy on strikers and wide men and thinner on defence and central midfield.
The attacking line-up quickly proved its worth with Mark "Sparky" Ray and Anthony Woosey linking on the left to put early pressure on the goal after good work by Neil Sparrow. Soon after, a good left wing cross found Kevin Hoyland at the near post but he steered his close range effort wide. At the other end, Croft showed their abilities feeding off a big striker with some younger legs joining eagerly from midfield and putting on pressure of their own.
Northop Hall struck first though. John Edmunds won the ball in midfield and set Anthony Woosey away to finish neatly for his third goal in three games. The lead didn't last long though - this being the eventual pattern of the game. Failure to clear the ball from the back and a neat interchange of passes put Croft in for a quick equaliser, a curled shot into the corner from just inside the box.
Next it was the turn of the home team, Mark Ray getting clear down the left and his low cross was well converted by Kevin Hoyland nipping in front of their centre half to clip in. Further pressure at both ends saw Anthony Woosey and Mark Ray again come close from good positions whilst Paz Maletta cleared from the foot of the post at a Warrington corner at the other end. Once again though, the away side were able to craft an opening and second equaliser that left Dave Pritchard no chance low and hard through his legs as he advanced.
Changes by the home side on the half hour saw Darren Brierley enter the fray and he was quickly testing out the keeper with a couple of shots. Anthony Woosey headed wide from close in after good work and a perfect cross from the right before further pressure saw Kevin Hoyland again put through in the area and his clever low shot found the bottom corner well to once more restore the well-deserved lead.
Half time 3-2
The second half started with a period of pressure from Croft as the Old Boys struggled to get going again after the break. During this time, the away side drew level for a third time getting their man in behind the back to again give Dave Pritchard no chance in goal. They also peppered the home goal but lacked accuracy and gradually the Old Boys regained a foothold. A break from the back by Dave Henrys sent Anthony Woosey away wide left and his cross deflected perfectly to Craig Jones who took a touch before placing his shot perfectly for a 4-3 lead.
Again it didn't last. In almost a mirror of their third goal, Croft were able to get round the back again to finish another good passing move and level for the fourth time. As they continued to press the Old Boys defended doggedly and kept their opponents to shots from distance that Dave Pritchard was able to deal with comfortably.
The last half hour saw a welcome return to action for Declan Hickey, firstly up front but later finding himself in the thick of the midfield action as injuries to Paul Gloyne, Kev Higgins and Craig Jones forced further changes around the pitch.
As the game wound down, the hard work of Darren Brierley and Anthony Woosey led to a couple of corners for Northop Hall and from one on the right, Mark Ray placed his cross straight into the goal as the away keeper flapped desperately at it. Despite a flurry of further shots at the home end, the Old Boys held firm to claim another notable and hard fought narrow victory.
The opposition's man of the match award went to two-goal Kevin Hoyland with left back Neil Sparrow heading a number of close contenders. It was player-manager Dave Henrys' first look at competitive action after work commitments ruled him out of the first two games. He was very impressed with the atmosphere within the squad and the attitude of the players today. Everybody gave 100% for each other and coped with numerous changes of position in good spirit, all boding well for a good season ahead.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow, Craig Jones, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Paul Gloyne), Phil Ward (Kev Higgins)(Steve Bodey), Pete Dessington, Kevin Hoyland, Mark Ray (Darren Brierley) Anthony Woosey (Declan Hickey)
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11 September 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 3 British Steel Veterans 2
From the outset the home team, with a changed formation due to injuries that saw Dave Pritchard start in goal in place of the luckless Steve Davies, Phil Ward drop into the centre of the back four and Anthony Woosey adding pace to midfield, began to press the visitors.
Despite this early pressure it was the away side that took the lead with 15 minutes gone on the clock, a rare attack that saw Dave Pritchard with no chance of saving a close range effort from the away striker.
The lead lasted only five minutes however, when debutant Mark "Sparky" Ray, playing on the left, moved onto a bouncing ball cleared from the oppositions defence and from all of 30 yards lashed a superb volley past the away keeper.
After this the match settled down with both sides having somewhat even play, the home side though being troubled occasionally by the extra long clearances from the away keeper which were aided by the breeze and bright sunlight.
Half time 1-1
The second half kicked off with Northop Hall making a few changes to their system of play with out of sorts striker Graham Wilks (suffering a slight ankle problem) being replaced up front with Anthony Woosey. The change coupled together with some excellent midfield play from Chris Preston and Steve Buckley saw the home side lay siege to the away teams goal and for the next 20 minutes a combination of great goalkeeping and poor finishing by the Old Boys kept the scores level. The deadlock was finally broken when Anthony Woosey received the ball down the left and fired a great 20 yard strike into the top of the British Steel goal.
With quarter an hour left to play, the game took the inevitable turn with Northop Hall almost punished for their earlier misses when a smart move down the right saw the away striker outpace the defence and fire a thunderous shot against the home goal’s upright.
The feeling of impending misfortune proved correct a few minutes later and despite what looked a clear offside in the move, once more down the right hand side, the away team striker crossed the ball unchallenged into the home side penalty box to see it slotted home into an empty net.
With just five minutes to play the crucial turning point in the game came when the ever youthful Pete Dessington won a corner on the right. For the second week in a row he sent over a fantastic pinpoint cross that saw Anthony Woosey rise at the back post to power a great header into the top of the opposition goal.
Despite some late pressure by the away side who forced a succession of corners in the last minutes of the game one of which forced a smart save down to his left from Dave Pritchard, the home side held on for their first competitive win of the season.
This was a great battling team effort with the combination of both old and new squad players working really well together and creating so many chances that the final score was not a true reflection of the play.
The man of the match as voted for by the opposition on this occasion was Anthony Woosey, but he was run close by a hard-working Steve Buckley.
Team: Dave Pritchard, Paz Maletta, Keiran Whelan, Darren Molyneux (Neil Sparrow), Phil Ward, Steve Buckley, Chris Preston (Phil Southern), Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks (Pete Dessington), Mark Ray, Darren Brierley.
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4 September 2010 - Eastham Veterans 3 Northop Hall Old Boys 3
There was a nervous start from both sides with the Old Boys fielding a few new players in their side, but they were first to settle with an early strike from Anthony Woosey on the home side goal from just outside the penalty area which struck the post with the keeper beaten. (This was to prove a familiar theme for the visitors throughout the match). Shortly after this Phil Ward's demeanour was one of frustration as first he blazed a shot over the home team's crossbar then headed wide from a corner.
The game gradually settled down despite the terrible state of the pitch and the home side got their passing game together becoming more threatening as the half went on. Despite this however, Northop Hall were the first to score when debutant striker Darren Brierley was put through on goal and slotted past the home keeper to make it 1-0.
The well taken lead did not last long though and ten minutes later a long punt upfield by the home keeper saw Steve Davies caught a bit in no mans land and the tall striker from the home side headed the ball over him into the Northop Hall net to make it 1-1.
The goal seemed to spur the away team and they continued to press, although keeper Steve Davies received a kick to the hand that left him with a bad injury and unable to play any further part in the game. However, with virtually the last kick of the half, some very good pressure on the defence from the forwards resulted in Graham Wilks hitting a lovely curling shot from outside the penalty area which the home keeper could only parry into his goal.
Half time 1–2
The second half began slowly for the visitors, letting the home side dominate proceedings and a smart move down their right hand side saw the ball played into the Northop Hall penalty area only for it to bounce awkwardly on the very uneven surface and strike the arm of defender Darren Molyneux. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which was dispatched by the home side despite stand-in keeper Dave Pritchard getting a hand to it.
Shortly after the restart another piece of luck went the home side’s way when a speculative shot from the edge of the Old Boys penalty area saw the ball take a deflection off Kieran Whelan and into the net for a 3-2 lead despite Dave's best efforts.
With the last quarter of the match looming, Northop Hall started to exert plenty of pressure on the home goal, with attack after attack pinning the home side into their penalty area. Phil Southern came close to an equaliser after beating the home keeper to a 50-50 ball and curling his shot from just inside the area onto the crossbar. Then a fluid move down the left hand side saw a fierce drive from Anthony Woosey cannon off the post loop across the goal only for John Edmunds to head the ball onto the opposite upright. The home keeper was very busy now saving brilliantly from both Anthony Woosey and Darren Brierley to deny that much deserved equaliser.
The pressure finally told and the goal came with the last kick of the second half when some good work down the left resulted in a corner for Northop Hall. With the game in injury time and even the Old Boys keeper in the opposition penalty box, Pete Dessington sent in a perfect cross that was met admirably by Darren Brierley who powered a header into the net. Final result 3–3.
A good battling result away from home against one of the better sides, with a well deserved opposition man of the match award going to Darren Brierley.
Team: Steve Davies, Paz Maletta, Neil Sparrow, Darren Molyneux, Kieran Whelan, Dave Pritchard, John Edmunds, Phil Southern, Phil Ward, Pete Dessington, Craig Jones, Anthony Woosey, Graham Wilks, Darren Brierley, Steve Bodey, Paul Gloyne.
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27 August 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 2 Stationmasters (Buckley) 2
The young lads from Stationmasters (Buckley) are no strangers to Northop Hall, this being their fourth visit, although the first one in pre-season having previously filled fixture gaps during the regular season. As with Moneysupermarket earlier in the month, this was felt to be an ideal work out for the Old Boys and another chance to see some of the new faces before the season starts properly in September. The timing of the game at the start of the bank holiday weekend inevitably robbed us of several players but those who did play knew they had been in a game. Phil Southern started in goal in the absence of all other contenders while there was a first start for Paul Gloyne and returns from last season's players' player of the year Darren Molyneux, Pete Dessington who missed the end of the last campaign through injury and Phil Ward and Kevin Hoyland.
Right from the off, the younger team pressed hard, keen to capitalise on their age advantage and it took some time for a rusty looking Old Boys side to get into their stride. Phil Southern was tested early in goal and made a number of decent saves to keep Stationmasters at bay as they enjoyed success particularly down the middle and from their left flank. Several long range efforts failed to register until one of their central midfielders teed himself up to volley home from 25 yards to open the scoring giving Phil no chance.
Although the away side came mighty close to adding a second with another strike that cannoned back off the foot of the post, Northop Hall gradually started to exert pressure of their own, Darren Brierley and Graham Wilks combining to set each other up with chances, the visiting keeper saving well twice from Darren. An injury to Paul Gloyne forced a change after 20 minutes and Kev Hoyland's pace helped to hold up the opposition's left side a bit.
Pete Dessington on the other side, combining well with Neil Sparrow, was turning the clock back again to produce some of the best moments going forward, one cross in particular capping a fine move and forcing a scrambled clearance. Eventually, Darren Brierley was put through from another good move and this time his shot was too hot to keep out despite the best efforts of the Stationmasters' keeper, his second successive pre-season goal.
Half Time 1-1
Paul Gloyne replaced Phil Southern in goal for the second half and it was the home team that started the stronger this time, Graham Wilks feeding off Darren Brierley to fashion a great opening that he thought he'd done enough with, having lobbed the ball over the advancing goalie, only to see it just drop over the bar. Phil Ward came even closer soon after with a terrific shot from distance that the keeper turned over the bar spectacularly.
It took another good strike from distance to provide the next goal and it went to Stationmasters who had been peppering the home goal without coming too close. A breakaway following a Northop Hall corner ended with a cross shot from the right arrowed into the top corner to restore their lead.
As the half wore on though the Old Boys looked just as likely to score, Phil Southern and John Edmunds unable to apply finishing touches to goalmouth scrambles, whilst the strikers tried to get on the end of several excellent crosses from both wings. Eventually a shot on the turn in the area from John Edmunds was touched onto the crossbar by the away keeper but dropped nicely for Graham Wilks to tuck it into the open goal for a second Old Boys equaliser.
The home team survived a scare when Paul Gloyne in goal, who didn't seem too aware of the rules surrounding what keepers can do in the area these days, picked up a backpass instead of kicking it clear. The resulting free-kick, with the home team defending the goal line, was well struck but equally well blocked by Phil Southern to keep the scores level. Injury ended Simon Rowley's game early, but neither side could find a winner in the final stages and a creditable draw resulted.
Phil Southern's versatile performance in goal first half and sitting in front of the back-four in the second earned him the opposition's vote as man of the match, although there were many pleasing performances throughout the team that hopefully bodes well for the coming season.
Team: Phil Southern, Paul Gloyne (Kevin Hoyland), Neil Sparrow, Darren Molyneux, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Simon Rowley), Steve Buckley, Phil Ward, Pete Dessington, Graham Wilks, Darren Brierley
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16 August 2010 - Northop Hall Old Boys 1 Moneysupermarket FC 4
The Old Boys handed debuts to six of their summer recruits, as Neil Sparrow, Chris Preston and Simon Rowley started their first match in the yellow and green while Darren Brierley, Dave Bradley and Craig Jones all came on as first half substitutes.
It was two of the old guard who created the early chances for the Old Boys though, as Graham Wilks put himself about well up front and striker Pete Fielder-Shaw had a header blocked on the line.
Player-manager Dave Henrys also drew a save from the opposition goalkeeper with a long-range effort, but completely against the run of play, Moneysupermarket took the lead. A quick throw-in allowed an attacker to get in behind the defence, and goalkeeper Steve Davies could only help the striker’s shot over the line.
Determined not to become too dispirited by the goal, Old Boys continued to create chances as Kieran Whelan hit a free-kick high and wide and Chris Preston created a good chance for himself, bursting through several tackles, only to see his shot saved. Graham Wilks followed this with his side’s best chance of the half, but as he rounded the ‘keeper, his low shot plugged in the long grass and was cleared off the goal line.
At the other end, pressure began to mount however. Steve Davies was called into action regularly and as Moneysupermarket began to gain a foothold in the game, a second goal seemed inevitable, and it arrived courtesy of a simple tap-in, after a low shot came across from the right-wing, just as Old Boys were planning their first wave of substitutions.
Darren Brierley, on for the impressive Pete Fielder-Shaw, made an immediate impact and forced a couple of saves out of the goalkeeper. At the other end, Blue pressure continued to build and when Kieran Whelan was beaten, almost on the stroke of half-time, the striker was able to beat Steve Davies to make it 3-0 as the whistle blew.
Half Time 0-3
With Steve Davies having to rush off due to work commitments, Dave Pritchard took over the gloves at half-time, and Neil Sparrow returned to the defence.
The break seemed to do Old Boys some good, and they started the second half on top, much as they had the first.
Darren Brierley headed narrowly over from a Dave Bradley corner, and went close again when his cross-shot flashed wide. Dave Bradley had a good chance himself from the edge of the box, as a typical long-range shot popped up awkwardly in front of the ‘keeper, who gathered at the second attempt.
At the other end Kieran Whelan made up for his earlier error by getting a crucial touch on a dangerous cross, but just after Old Boys’ second wave of substitutions, Moneysupermarket.com made it 4-0, as the ball was lobbed up over the defence and volleyed in from close range.
As the young opposition tired, and the game became more even, the home team began to completely dominate proceedings though. Craig Jones cannoned a shot against the crossbar after a good Simon Rowley corner was cleared, and another long-range effort from Dave Bradley produced a smart save.
Chances at the other end began to dry up and an ambitious overhead kick was as close as they got. A deserved Northop Hall Old Boys goal finally arrived shortly afterwards, as Darren Brierley capped an impressive debut with a good finish from the right to make it 4-1.
Moneysupermarket were under more pressure immediately afterwards too, as Darren Brierley linked well with fellow debutant Chris Preston. The former had a great shot turned wide by the goalkeeper, while John Edmunds had a long-range effort headed over.
A good move down the left involving Neil Sparrow, Chris Preston and Darren Brierley won Old Boys a corner, while Chris Preston had a shot saved, and Dave Bradley put a long-range shot narrowly over.
As the full-time whistle approached, Darren Brierley nearly doubled his tally, but shot wide when one-on-one with the keeper.
Aside from a fortunate chance at the other end, after a clearance deflected cruelly off Kieran Whelan’s face, Moneysupermarket were seldom in the Old Boys half, and as the referee blew the final whistle, the Old Boys were left to reflect on a very encouraging performance.
Man of the match was awarded to goalscorer Darren Brierley and on this performance it could well prove to be the first of many.
Team: Steve Davies, Dave Pritchard, Neil Sparrow (Kev Higgins), Kieran Whelan, Dave Henrys, John Edmunds (Dave Bradley), Steve Buckley, Chris Preston, Simon Rowley (Craig Jones), Graham Wilks, Pete Fielder-Shaw (Darren Brierley)
Date Opposition Venue/Score Scorers 16/08/10 MONEYSUPERMARKET (pre-season friendly) lost 1-4 Brierley 27/08/10 STATIONMASTERS (Buckley) (pre-season friendly) drew 2-2 Brierley, Wilks 04/09/10 Eastham Veterans drew 3-3 Brierley (2), Wilks 11/09/10 BRITISH STEEL VETS won 3-2 M.Ray, A.Woosey (2) 25/09/10 WARRINGTON CROFT won 5-4 A.Woosey, Hoyland (2), C.Jones, M.Ray 02/10/10 NORTHOP HALL NOMADS won 2-0 M.Ray, Brierley 09/10/10 Rock Ferry Veterans lost 0-3 - 16/10/10 UPTON MAGNETS VETS won 5-1 M.Ray, Wilks, Hickey, Brierley (2) 23/10/10 Halkyn Veterans won 7-1 Brierley (3), Molyneux, Wilks, Hoyland, A.Woosey 30/10/10 Rhewl Veterans won 4-2 Brierley (3), C.Jones 06/11/10 BEDFORD ARGYLE lost 2-7 Brierley (2) 13/11/10 Rossett Veterans (at Queensway, Wxm) won 3-1 M.Ray, A.Woosey, Edmunds 20/11/10 ST.MARY'S (LIVERPOOL) won 4-2 A.Woosey (2), C.Jones, M.Ray 27/11/10 Chester Nomads 5ths drew 2-2 A.Woosey (2) 08/01/11 British Steel Veterans won 5-2 A.Woosey (3), Edmunds (2) 15/01/11 HALKYN VETERANS lost 2-4 Ward, A.Woosey (pen) 22/01/11 Northop Hall Nomads lost 3-4 Woosey, Evans (2) 05/02/11 Bedford Argyle lost 2-4 Binnersley, Molyneux 12/02/11 ROSSETT VETERANS won 9-3 A.Woosey (3 - 1 pen), M.Ray (3 - 1 pen), Wilks (2), Brierley 19/02/11 CHESTER NOMADS won 8-1 M.Ray (3), Wilks (2), Brierley, A.Woosey (2) 26/02/11 ROCK FERRY VETERANS lost 1-2 M.Ray 05/03/11 St. Mary's (Liverpool) won 5-3 Brierley (2), Wilks (2), Sparrow 12/03/11 RHEWL VETERANS won 5-2 Wilks, Ward, Binnersley, A.Woosey, Brierley 19/03/11 Upton Magnets Veterans won 4-1 A.Woosey (3), Hoyland 26/03/11 SALTNEY VETERANS (Shotton Steel Veterans Cup) lost 1-4 Brierley 02/04/11 HALKYN VETERANS (Sealand Cup) drew 1-1 Wilks 09/04/11 Liverpool Ramblers (Sealand Cup) won 7-1 A.Woosey (3), Brierley (2), M.Ray, Wilks 16/04/11 WOOLTON VETERANS drew 3-3 Wilks, A.Woosey (2) 30/04/11 WARRINGTON CROFT (Sealand Cup) lost 1-4 Brierley 07/05/11 NORTHOP HALL NOMADS (Charity Shield 1st leg) * won 3-0 Whelan, Binnersley (2) 21/05/11 Carmel Veterans lost 1-6 M.Ray 28/05/11 NORTHOP HALL NOMADS (Charity Shield 2nd leg) * won 2-1 Brierley, Bodey
- report by Colin Henrys (Sports Web Editor - 'The Courier' - Newcastle University)
- report by Colin Henrys (Sports Web Editor - 'The Courier' - Newcastle University)
- report by Colin Henrys (Sports Web Editor - 'The Courier' - Newcastle University)
- report by Declan Hickey
Northop Hall welcomed a true veteran St Mary’s team to Llys Ben on Saturday. Being short of numbers this week due to various reasons it was good to welcome back Richie Moore for a guest appearance following his move down to Kent at the end of last season.
- report by Phil Southern
The second game of the season for Northop Hall Old Boys saw them take on one of their closest rivals from British Steel, a fixture that in the recent past has proved to be somewhat competitive and on occasion explosive.
- report by Phil Southern
The first competitive game of the new season saw Northop Hall take a strong 16 man squad to the Wirral to play one of the top teams on the fixture list.
- report by Colin Henrys ( www.colinhenrys.wordpress.com)
Northop Hall Old Boys succumbed to a 4-1 defeat in their traditional season opener against Moneysupermarket.com, but there was much to be positive about after a spirited performance against tough opposition.